CO1 WEEK 5 FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE OF CPU Flashcards
What affects CPU performance?
Clock speed
- N of cores
- Cache size
- RAM size
- WORD size
- Bus width
What are Cores?
more cores usually faster processing - Higher complexity Improves performance tacks spit between cores
What is parallel processing?
More than one processor =synchronised
What is a Cache?
small amount of memory which is part of CPU = holds instructions which likely to be reused
- checks this before requesting data from RAM
- saves fetching
What are the different grades of cache?
L1 part of the CPU itself both being the smallest but fastest to access.
Each level the cache gets larger but slower to access.
More L2 and L3 memory available the faster the computer can run.
What is ROM?
ROM - Non volatile - store a limited n of instructions - not changeable
What is memory ?
Memory - stores data and instruction
What is RAM?
RAM - volatile - temp storage for programs that are currently running
- stored in random access no sequential
- needed as hard disk slow
- improves performance
Virtual memory = dedicated space to store data until RAM is free (if not enough space in RAM
What is word size?
- word = number of bits which moves from one component to another
- can only reference memory locations which fit within size of address bus
- how many bits CPU can manipulate in one go
What is the Data Bus?
The amount of bits that can be transferred simultaneously from one device to another.
Provides two way connection allowing data and instructions to travel on.
What is the Address bus?
access data in memory one direction from CPU
- address bus determines maximum amount of accessible locations
What are the names of the buses?
Address bus
- Data bus
- Control bus
What is the Control Bus?
two way to transmit commands,timing,specific status info
