Processor Performance

Created by: Amber Betts
Created on: 26-02-22 16:52

Describe the factor affecting the performance of the CPU: Clock Speed?

Clock speed, measured in Gigahertz (GHz), directly impacts CPU performance by determining the rate at which the system clock synchronises operations and executes instructions.

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Describe the factor affecting the performance of the CPU: Number of Cores?

The number of cores in a CPU, such as dual-core or quad-core, impacts performance by potentially allowing simultaneous processing of different instructions, but actual speed gains may vary based on software optimisation.

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Describe the factor affecting the performance of the CPU: Cache?

Cache size and type, including levels (L1, L2, and sometimes L3), significantly impact CPU performance by enabling faster retrieval of frequently used instructions and data compared to main memory access.

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Understand the use of pipelining in a processor to improve efficiency?

Pipelining in a processor enhances efficiency by allowing concurrent execution of multiple instructions - fetching the next instruction while simultaneously performing arithmetic or logic operations, reducing idle time and improving overall performance.

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Understand how address bus size relates to assembly language programs?

Address bus size influences system memory capacity, impacting assembly language programs by constraining instruction variety and operand size, particularly impractical for computers with larger word sizes like 32, 64, or 128 bits.

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Understand how data bus size relates to assembly language programs?

Data bus size dictates maximum operand size in memory; in assembly language, a 16-bit word limits opcode and operand size, while larger buses enable more extensive instructions and practicality in general-purpose computers.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Describe the factor affecting the performance of the CPU: Number of Cores?

Back

Card 3

Front

Describe the factor affecting the performance of the CPU: Cache?

Back

Card 4

Front

Understand the use of pipelining in a processor to improve efficiency?

Back

Card 5

Front

Understand how address bus size relates to assembly language programs?

Back

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Processor Performance