3.1.4

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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Computational Thinking & Algorithms

1.1

Computational Thinking

1.1.1Abstraction Thinking1.1.2Decomposition Thinking1.1.3Algorithmic Thinking
1.2

Algorithms

1.2.1Algorithms1.2.2Pseudocode1.2.3Flow Diagrams1.2.4Logical Reasoning & Debugging1.2.5Reading Algorithms1.2.6Correcting Algorithms1.2.7Complete the Algorithm1.2.8Search Algorithms1.2.9Linear Search1.2.10Binary Search1.2.11Sort Algorithms1.2.12Bubble Sort1.2.13Insertion Sort1.2.14End of Topic Test - Algorithms
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Programming

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Programming Fundamentals

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Designing Code

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Python

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3

Hardware & Software

3.1

Hardware

3.1.1Elements of Computer Systems3.1.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.3Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance3.1.5Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle3.1.6Binary Systems3.1.7Logic Circuits3.1.8Boolean Logic3.1.9End of Topic Test - Logic
3.2

Software

3.2.1System Software
4

Data

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Representing Data

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The Internet

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Networks

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Protecting Yourself Online

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Practice questions on Factors Affecting CPU Performance

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  1. 1
    Toggle until all are correct: Which are the 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
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Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle