Question

explain 4 factors that influence the performance of CPU

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Multiple cores
2. Cache memory
3. clock speed
4. word length

Explanation:

Multiple cores

In the Anthony Neuman method, which is the method of computer architecture used by most computers, instructions are fetched and executed one at a time. Today however we now have dual core and quad core computers and each core has its own fetch and execute cycle.

This means that a processor can be up to two or four times faster than a normal processor . However the actual speed of the processor  is dependent on the software that’s being run.

Not all software will take advantage of the quad and dual cores. Game software and video editing software are normally written to take full advantage of this core technology, whereas Word processor software or spreadsheet software maybe not.

Cache memory

Cache memory is a small amount of high performance RAM (Random Access Memory) that is built into the processor. This RAM stores data which has been repeatedly used by the processor and it does not require a request from the system memory. This type of data is critical to the fast processing of video editing games and 3D applications. Using this type of memory will increase the speed of processing the data.

clock speed

The processor requires a clock pulse in order to operate correctly,  so a real time clock is provided to provide the clock pulse.

One clock cycle is equivalent to 1 Hz, that is one cycle per second.

A PC clock speed is normally in the gigahertz region. That is a billion cycles per second. Typical speeds are two to four gigahertz. The faster the clock speed, the faster the instructions can be processed by the processor.

word length

This word length is the word length of a CPU . This is the number of bits a CPU can process simultaneously. For example a 32-bit processor is faster than a 16 bit processor because it has a wider word length. A typical computer system word length is normally between 32 and 64 bits