Final answer:
To speed up processing, CPUs obtain likely-to-be-used next data from cache memory, a special form of high-speed memory. This allows for quicker access than obtaining data from RAM, hard disk, or input devices and enhances system performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
To speed up processing, CPUs obtain data that is likely to be used next from cache memory. Cache memory is a specialized form of ultra-fast memory that operates at a speed closer to that of the CPU compared to other types of storage such as RAM, hard disks, and input devices. Cache memory acts as a buffer for the most frequently used data or instructions, enabling quick access for the CPU which enhances overall system performance. When the CPU requires data, it first checks the cache; if the data is not found there, it proceeds to check the RAM, and only if the data isn't available in RAM will it access the slower hard disk storage.
Memory is an information processing system, analogous to how a computer works. It involves encoding, storing, and retrieving information, which are pivotal functions in a computer system. These processes enable computers to efficiently process large amounts of information, and this capacity has been bolstered over time with the development of more advanced memory technologies, amongst which cache memory plays a critical role.