1.1.2 CPU Performance Flashcards
What are the factors affecting system performance
-Choice of CPU
-RAM
-GPU
-SSD
What are the three factors affecting CPU Performance
-Clock speed
-Number of cores
-Cache size
Clock speed
The number of instructions a single processir core can carry out per second
What is clock speed measured in
Hz
How can a higher clock speed affect CPU Performance
More instructions can be carried out per second
Overclocking
When you make a CPU run at a higher clock speed than the factory set rate
Disadvantages of overclocking
Can cause CPUs to overheat- causing crashes or permanent damage to the system
What is usually needed to help an overclocked computer
A high performance cooking system
Core
An unit in the CPU that can process data independently
How does increasing the number of cores affect CPU performance
It can process a batch of data faster
How does increasing the cache size affect system performance
CPU has faster access to more data it needs to process
Disadvantages of increased clock speed, number of cores and cache size
More expensive
How does increasing RAM affect system performance
More memory-intensive applications a computer can run smoothly
Why does increasing RAM affect system performance
Virtual memory will be used less often
Why does increasing the cache size affect CPU performance
Less trips to RAM
Why does increasing the number of cores affect system performance
More instructions can be carried out simultaneously
How to upgrade RAM
Replace RAM sticks with higher capacity/speed ones
Why might increasing RAM not affect system performance
The computer could have plenty of RAM already
What does GPU stand for
Graphics Processing Unit
GPU
Specialised circuit for handling graphics and image processing
Integrated GPU
Basic GPU on the motherboard or CPU which most computers have
Dedicated GPU
Gives better graphics
What is a dedicated GPU known as
Graphics card
Other than graphics, how do GPUs affect system performance
They relieve the processing load on CPUs, allowing them to do other things
