CPU and Cache Memory

CPU and Cache Memory

1. CPU is the 'brains' of the computer

   • Also known as processor or microprocessor

2. Central Processing Unit

3. The CPU is responsible for executing a program

4. piece of hardware that carries out the instructions of a computer program

5. a hardware cache used by the CPU

6. A cache is a smaller, faster memory, closer to a processor core.

7. 3 levels of cache

   • L1: Part of the CPU chip and is the smallest and fastest to access
   • L2+L3: They are bigger than L1. Sometimes L2 is built into the CPU with L1.
   • L2 and L3 caches take slightly longer to access than L1. The more L2 and L3 memory available, the faster a computer can run.
   • Cache
     • on the CPU
   • 3rd cache feeds into cores

8. Fetch-decode-execute

9. clock speed measured in Hertz

10. clock is a quartz crystal