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Factors Affecting CPU Performance

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Factors Affecting CPU Performance

Not all Central Processing Units (CPUs) will execute code at the same speed. Some processors will be faster than others depending on the following factors:

Clock speed

Clock speed

  • The CPU's clock sends a pulse at fixed intervals to trigger the next stage of the fetch, decode, execute (FDE) cycle.
  • The higher the clock speed, the more pulses are sent per second, so more instructions can be executed in the same amount of time.
Cores

Cores

  • Each core of a CPU is capable of processing instructions independently.
  • Each core has its own Control Unit (CU), and Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), but the cores share access to cache and main memory.
  • Multiple cores allows a CPU to process multiple instructions at the same time.
Cache memory

Cache memory

  • Cache memory is a small amount of very fast memory inside the CPU.
  • In comparison to the cache, accessing the Random Access Memory (RAM) is a very slow operation.
  • By storing frequently accessed data and instructions in cache memory we can avoid the process of accessing the RAM.
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Computer Systems

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Data Representation

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Data Transmission

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1.3

Hardware

1.3.1Elements of Computer Systems1.3.2Types of Computer System1.3.3Von Neumann Architecture1.3.4The Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle1.3.5Factors Affecting CPU Performance1.3.6Computational Logic1.3.7Input Devices1.3.82D & 3D Scanners1.3.9Code Readers1.3.10Solid State Storage1.3.11Magnetic Storage1.3.12Examples of Magnetic Storage1.3.13Optical Storage1.3.14Examples of Optical Storage1.3.15Types of Optical disk1.3.16Storage Requirements1.3.17Translation - Compilers1.3.18Translation - Interpreters1.3.19Translation - Assemblers1.3.20Acoustic Sensors1.3.21Flow Sensors1.3.22Gas Sensors1.3.23Humidity Sensors1.3.24Infrared Sensors1.3.25Level Sensors1.3.26Light Sensors1.3.27Magnetic Field Sensors1.3.28Moisture Sensors1.3.29pH Sensors1.3.30Pressure Sensors1.3.31Proximity Sensors1.3.32Temperature Sensors1.3.33Network Hardware
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Cyber Security

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Algorithms, Programming & Logic

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Algorithm Design & Problem Solving

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Programming

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Databases

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Boolean Logic

2.4.1Binary Systems2.4.2Logic Circuits2.4.3Truth Tables2.4.4Evaluating Expressions2.4.5Boolean Operators2.4.6End of Topic Test - Logic

Practice questions on Factors Affecting CPU Performance

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Features of cache memory:True / false
  2. 2
    Which of the following will increase CPU performance?True / false
  3. 3
    Which of the three factors is most important for a high performance CPU? (*think of an answer, and then check the answer to compare it to your own*)Flashcard
  4. 4
    Which factor directly affects the number of instructions a CPU can execute per second?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What is the role of multiple cores in a CPU?Multiple choice
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The Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle

Computational Logic