CPU Performance Factors Flashcards
What 5 factors affect CPU performance?
Clock Cores Cache (internal and external) Size of RAM Graphics card (GPU)
What does a higher clock speed mean?
The CPU can run faster, meaning more instructions can bed processed every second
What is a heat sink?
A heat sink is a device designed to take heat away from the CPU, it includes metal fins to dissipate heat and a fan to drive air across the fins
What is overclocking?
Running a CPU faster than it’s normal design speed
What is a core within the CPU?
A core is a complete processing unit within the CPU
What 2 things does increasing the number of cores allow the computer to do?
Multi-tasking
Parallel Processing
What is Multi-tasking?
Is the ability to carry out more than one task at the same time
What is Parallel Processing?
Is when a single task (program) is split into two or more parts and each part is processed at the same time
What does having a larger cache mean?
It will speed up processing because the CPU can access data and instructions faster than they can from RAM
What is RAM?
Is the main memory that is used to store computer programs and data that are currently in use
What is Virtual Memory?
Is an area set aside on the hard disk to act as a very slow form of RAM
When is Virtual Memory used?
When RAM is full
