difference between "Clear cached data" and wiping cache partition?

[xstinkyx]

I suppose this is a newbie question, but I'm still curious...

What's the difference between doing a "Clear cached data" via Settings and wiping the cache partition via Recovery mode?

 

[Golfdriver97]

In Settings it clears all the app cached data, not the system caches.

 

[xstinkyx]

In Settings it clears all the app cached data, not the system caches.

How much space does the system caches normally take up, generally?

 

[Golfdriver97]

How much space does the system caches normally take up, generally?

Never tracked it. Partially because as the phone is rebooting, the cache starts building.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's different data that's being cached. The app caches accumulate temporary data specific to those apps, while the system cache accumulates temporary system data. An example of system cache data is an .apk file that is downloaded from Google Play Store when you install an app.

The temporary system data can sometimes cause various problems with overall system function, while the cached app data would likely only cause potential problems for that app alone.