Gce Model Questions Vol1 2023 Computer Studies Question 2

Practice essay / theory question 2 from the 2023 Gce Model Questions Vol1 Computer Studies examination. This question covers Computer Hardware .

Gce Model Questions Vol1 2023 Computer Studies Essay / Theory
Topic: Computer Hardware
Question 2 GCE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2023 • COMPUTER_STUDIES • essay

A computer system has the following specifications: - CPU clock speed: 3.2 GHz - CPU cache latency: 2 clock cycles - Main‑memory latency: 80 ns - System bus width: 64 bits (8 bytes) - Maximum memory bandwidth: 25.6 GB s⁻¹ The system runs a program that executes 2 000 000 instructions. Each instruction, on average, requires one data reference to main memory. The cache hit rate is 95 %. Using the information given, answer the questions below.

Question Parts

( a )
Calculate the approximate total execution time of the program, taking into account the CPU cycles for the instructions and the time penalty for cache misses. Show all steps and state any assumptions you make.
( b )
If the cache is redesigned so that the hit rate improves to 98 %, recalculate the execution time and comment on the percentage reduction in total time compared with part (a).
( c )
Briefly discuss two other hardware factors (apart from cache hit rate) that could further reduce the program’s execution time, explaining the mechanism by which each factor helps.

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About This Question

This is Gce Model Questions Vol1 2023 Computer Studies Question 2. It is one of the essay questions from the 2023 Gce Model Questions Vol1 Computer Studies examination.

The question covers Computer Hardware .

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