Computer Architecture | 7. Caches by Pavan | Learn Smarter with Allrounder.ai
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7. Caches

Caches play a crucial role in enhancing system performance by acting as a high-speed storage layer between the CPU and main memory. The chapter discusses various levels of cache, principles governing cache access, the types of cache misses, write policies, coherence issues in multi-core systems, and strategies for optimizing cache performance. It emphasizes the importance of design considerations in balancing speed, cost, and power consumption for effective cache operation.

Sections

  • 7

    Caches

    Caches are high-speed storage systems that temporarily hold frequently accessed data to improve access time and overall system performance.

  • 7.1

    Introduction To Caches

    Cache memory enhances CPU performance by temporarily storing frequently accessed data.

  • 7.2

    Cache Hierarchy And Levels

    This section explains the various levels of cache in modern processors and their role in optimizing memory access and performance.

  • 7.3

    Cache Access Principles

    Cache access is determined by principles such as locality of reference and cache mapping strategies, which govern how data is stored and retrieved efficiently.

  • 7.4

    Cache Misses

    Cache misses occur when data requested by the CPU is not found in the cache, leading it to fetch the data from slower memory.

  • 7.5

    Write Policies In Caches

    This section explores the two key write policies in cache systems: write-through and write-back.

  • 7.6

    Cache Coherence And Consistency

    Cache coherence is crucial in multi-core processors where different cores may have inconsistent copies of the same memory location.

  • 7.7

    Inclusive Vs. Exclusive Cache

    The section discusses the differences between inclusive and exclusive cache policies in multi-level caching systems, focusing on their implications for data management.

  • 7.8

    Victim Caches

    Victim caches are small, fully associative caches used to store data evicted from higher-level caches, helping to reduce conflict misses.

  • 7.9

    Cache Optimizations

    Cache optimizations enhance performance by reducing cache misses through various strategies.

  • 7.10

    Cache Design Considerations

    This section discusses the key parameters influencing cache design, focusing on balancing speed, cost, and power consumption.

References

eeoe-ca-7.pdf

Class Notes

Memorization

What we have learnt

  • Cache memory is essential f...
  • Cache hierarchy includes mu...
  • Understanding cache misses ...

Final Test

Revision Tests