Factors affecting CPU performance Flashcards
What is clock speed?
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.
What is a system clock?
An electronic device,which generates signals, switching between 0 and 1.
How does the number of cores in a computer affect the processing time?
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. However, not all programs are able to utilize multiple cores efficiently as they have not been designed to do so.
How does cache amount and type of cache memory affect processing time?
Reduces latency of retrieval of data to the CPU, as the data is closer to the CPU.
What is a cache?
Cache memory is the CPU’s on board memory.
What is the purpose of a cache?
copied to the cache, so if required again, they can be accessed quicker. As cache fills up, unused instructions are replaced.
What is the purpose of a cache?
Data is copied to the cache, so if required again, they can be accessed quicker. As cache fills up, unused instructions are replaced.
What is Level 1 cache?
Very fast memory cells with a small capacity. (2-64KB)
What is Level 2 cache?
Relatively fast memory cell, with a medium sized capacity. (256KB-2MB)
What is Level 3 cache?
Much larger and slower memory cell.
