text: I am not sure how technical you want the answer\nto be.  \n\nMain memory (RAM) is\n1.  Cheaper\n2.  Slower\n3.  "Smaller in physical size" (per MB)\n4.  Usually larger in memory capacity (compared to Cache)\nin a computer\n\nBecause it is smaller in physical size (per MB), you\ncan have a lot of memory in a small physical area.  It\nis also one of the reasons why it is cheaper \n(because less "material" is needed per MB)\n\nOn the other hand\n\nCache is\n1.  Costlier\n2.  Faster\n3.  "Larger in physical size" (per MB)\n4.  Usually smaller in memory capacity (compared to RAM)\nin a computer\n\nYou can use the same principles as above (for RAM) to \njustify points 1, 2, 3, and 4 for Cache.\n\n\n\nPart of the reason why Cache is faster is because it\nhas a smaller memory size.  \n\nThink about how long it takes to find something \nyou want\n1.  in one room\n2.  in the entire house\n\nSince the room is smaller than a house, it takes\nless time for you to find something in it.  Cache\nis smaller in memory capacity (compared to RAM)\nfor the same reason: to make it quick and easy\nto find something in it.\n\nA computer stores the data that is "used most\noften" in cache, so that it can get that\ndata as quickly as possible.\n\nI hope this answers your question.\n\nMahurshi Akilla