Windows was built to be used on a maximum of machines with different configurations, and therefore, it is usually not optimized for your computer and your use. I also invite you to read our other articles articles about the optimization of your computers if this is already done. A “non-optimisations”, it is at the level of the processor. Our processors have caches that allow them to put in memory some data to accelerate the recovery of its data in the future: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9moire_cache according to the processors, you can have 2 or 3 levels ( ) cache. By default, Windows uses a cache L2 (Level 2) of 256 kbytes, which means that if your CPU is able to use more space (which is usually the case and will be more time will pass in view of the continued evolution of the processors), Windows limited the capabilities of your CPU! And I don’t even talk no L3 cache, because Windows does not use it, it’s as if you do not have this 3rd cache memory is the largest of the 3 levels a processor caches!
Its processor Info:
The 1st thing to do is to know the capabilities of the CPU (processor), to this:
- Download CPU – Z: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
- Install it and open it
- To see the different levels of cache, you have 2 possibilities: the 1st tab, bottom-right, or the 2nd tab
To increase the L2 cache in Windows:
- In the start menu, find and open “regedit” (registry database) (as in any manipulation in the registry database, it is advisable to perform a backup of his computer in case of problems)
- Double click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Session Manager > Memory Management
- in the right window, you have to find a key named “SecondLevelDataCache”, right click on it and click on ‘Edit’
- Click “Decimal”
- And replace with the true value of your processor. In my case, CPU – Z tells me 2 x 256, so the value to put in my case is 512.
- Click “Ok”
To enable L3 cache in Windows:
- Step 1 to 2 is the same as for the L2 and therefore arrive in the same window in step 3.
- In a free area in the right window, right click and click on “New” > “DWORD 32 bit value”
- Rename the new key by “ThirdLevelDataCache” (without the quotes)
- Right click on this new key renamed and click on ‘Edit’
- Click “Decimal”
- Change the value to that of your processor indicated by CPU – Z: in my case, I have 3MBytes, so I have to do 3 x 1024, which means I have to put 3072 as value.
- Click “Ok”.
Restart your computer. On 1 restart, your computer may be slightly slower than usual, this being from the fact that Windows needs to incorporate these new data, but later, your computer should be faster and more powerful! Personally, I didn’t slow during the 1st reboot, but I noticed an improvement in the speed of programs, especially at the level of the multi-tasking, despite the fact that who already have an SSD on my PC! Note: this trick is not overclocking, and therefore there is no risk of overheating that can be found in the overclocking.
Hello
Could you please explain I am confused … you wrote to edit decimal but in other source I see an advice to edit to hexa http://bestcomputerscienceonline.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/increase-l2-cache.html … and other said to modify Binary Data… I do know about this nothing :( maybe you could explain where is the mistake or all sources are right…
Who is right? :)
Hi,
We are right both, decimal or hexa will do the same thing, it is only a conversion between deci or hexa.
So you can choose hexa or deci, it is the same, there is only the data to insert that is different, but at the finish, it is the same.
hello beautiful cat
my cpu is pentium G3250 so after do this i really think my pc is got faster around 40%
Hi
Not for all PC it will increase speed and not for all games it will be an advantages but in my opinion the best way to set up it then leave to decide for Windows.
Hi
Thank you very much for reply. Can I ask you the last question?
I made a topic with these steps how to set up L2 and L3 for my friends and one of them said that 0 is auto and do not change this coz Windows wrote…
Do not change the SecondLevelDataCache entry
Some third-party sources have erroneously reported that modifying the SecondLevelDataCache registry entry in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet \Control\Session Manager\Memory Management can enhance system performance. The second level (L2) cache is recognized by the operating system and is fully utilized regardless of the setting of this parameter.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc938581.aspx
I found myself that the message was wrote by Windows in 2008 at least and these years Windows put L2 by default 256 kb if on 0 like Auto. How it works now? Do I need to set up it manually or I have to trust Windows auto settings ? I think yes I should to set up it manually coz I think Windows has default settings for size of L2 like 256 kb… my friend says do not change it coz it OS auto setting and its working fine without changing
Do you know what is the best way? Thanks
Hi,
For me, it is the best to change: i and many users saw a best in the OS… But not everybody.
If it is auto-setting, it can put wrong settings. Why ask Windows to do auto-setting (so work much to detect the value) if you know the real value? Windows is an OS to be compatible with hundred differents environnement, so it is normal that Windows ask users do not change value, if you change the processors, you need to not forget this parameter….
I understand your friend, and i also see this article in the past before writing this post, and i was in trouble, but after change the value, i definitely accept to change the value.
Thank you very much :)
This setting has no effect on modern CPUs !
http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/25766-registry-myths-2-setting-the-l2-cache-size/
TL/DR: if you dont have a Pentium 1 with more than 64Mo of RAM, dont touch it !
this article http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/25766-registry-myths-2-setting-the-l2-cache-size/ from 2011
Hi so i followed the instructions to change the L2 cache, and now i get much worse fps in games, it didnt give me a boost, it did the opposite. I used to get 200+ fps in CS:GO and now i get around 140.
My Specs:
Windows 10 64 bit
i5 7400
GTX 1060
16gb ram dual channel (2×8)
windows installed on SSD
If my system is 64 bit and I setting L3 cache The new folder got to be REG_QWORD or REG_DWORD?
REG_DWORD
Can i set it to 1000000 = 1mbytes?