Factors Affecting CPU performance

Question 1

What is the clock speed?

Answer 1

amount of instructions which can be executed by the CPU per second. It is measured in Hz

Question 2

What is underclocking?

Answer 2

modifying computer so that it runs at a lower clock speed than specified

Question 3

What does underclocking cause?

Answer 3

• less power consumption
• less heat generation (less electricity use)
• reduces need for a fan
• makes machine silent
• apps and programs run less smooth

Question 4

What is overclocking?

Answer 4

modifying the computer so that it runs at a higher clock speed than specified

Question 5

What does overclocking cause?

Answer 5

• increases CPU performance
• apps and programs run faster/smoother
• increased power consumption
• greater risk of catching fire
• greater risk of heat damage
• 2 reasons above can cause warranty to become void

Question 6

What are the 3 factors affecting CPU performance?

Answer 6

number of cores
amount of cache memory
clock speed

Question 7

What does higher clock speed?

Answer 7

Higher clock speed means more instructions can be executed per second

Question 8

describe cache memory

Answer 8

a high performance RAM,stores data which is frequently used waiting to be processed by CPU. Usually built into processor to minimise access time

Question 9

what is L1 cache ?

Answer 9

cache that’s a part of the CPU. It is the smallest but the fastest to access (between 8 and 64 kb)

Question 10

what is an L2/L3 cache ?

Answer 10

extra cache built in between CPU and RAM. they have a longer access time but a larger capacity

Question 11

describe multi core

Answer 11

a greater number of cores so instructions can be executed simultaneously . This is an example of parallel computing . it speeds up task completion

Question 12

How does cache memory increase CPU performance

Answer 12

High chance data from there will be used which much faster access time than storage

Question 13

Can multi core incorporate parallel and concurrent processing?

Answer 13

YES

Question 14

Why does having more cores not always mean they work efficiently ?

Answer 14

as they don’t always work to the fullest potential due to software limitations

if software is designed to be run on multi core by the process called threading then the execution will be much more efficient

Question 15

What is a bus width?

Answer 15

The amount of data that the CPU can transmit at a time to a certain location using the buses. It is measured in bits

Question 16

How does bus width affect cpu performance?

Answer 16

As sometime a whole instruction won’t fit on a bus so the bus may have to return to get the rest of it

Question 17

What is thermal throttling and how can it be reduced?

Answer 17

overheating the CPU consequently dropping performance to stay in the safe temp range

underclocking