factors affecting cpu performance

Question 1

clock speed

Answer 1

The clock speed is determined by the system clock. This is an electronic device which generates signals, switching between 0 and 1.

All processor activities begin on a clock pulse, and each CPU operation starts as the clock changes from 0 to 1. The clock speed is the time taken for one clock cycle to complete.

Question 2

number of cores

Answer 2

A core is an independent processor that is able to run its own fetch-execute cycle. A computer with multiple cores can complete more than one fetch-execute cycle at any given time.

A computer with dual cores can theoretically complete tasks twice as fast as a computer with a single core.

Question 3

amount and type of cache memory

Answer 3

Cache memory is the CPU’s onboard memory. Instructions fetched from main memory are
copied to the cache, so if required again, they can be accessed quicker. As cache fills up, unused instructions are replaced

Question 4

cache type: level 1

Answer 4

properties: Very fast memory cells with a small

capacity. (2-64KB)

Question 5

cache type:level 2

Answer 5

properties:Relatively fast memory cell, with a medium

sized capacity. (256KB-2MB)

Question 6

cache type:level 3

Answer 6

properties:Much larger and slower memory cell.

Question 7

Describe how each of these improves a processor’s performance: fast clock speed

Answer 7

fast clock speed gives more cycles per second and more instructions can be executed per ser second so the program is quicker

Question 8

Describe how each of these improves a processor’s performance: large cache memory

Answer 8

large cache memory:theres more space for data and instructions in cache memory , ram needs to be accessed less frequently

accessing cache is quicker than accessing the ram