Computer Performance

Computer Performance

1. Clock Speed

   • Measured in Hertz
   • 1Hz – 1 cycle per second
   • Higher Clock speed makes the programs and data load faster
     • Therefore more fetch decode execute cycles can be processed per second
   • What?
     • The amount of times the CPU can perform fetch-decode-execute cycles
       • Per Second

2. Cache

   • What?
     • The memory in the CPU
     • Programs and data will load faster
       • Therefore it can access frequently used data quicker
   • A small amount of memory which is a part of the CPU
   • How?
     • Needed to store to frequently accessed data
     • Temporarily holds instructions and data that the CPU is likely to reuse

3. RAM

   • Stores the programs
     • parts of the operating system and the files currently being used.
   • Is volatile
     • Meaning that the data is not stored when the computer system is switched off.
   • Increasing the amount of RAM will lead to:
     • More programs will be able to be opened at the same time
       • Therefore it doesn't need to rely on virtual memory as much

4. Cores

   • Allows the CPU to multitask
   • The number of independent processors
     • in the CPU which run the fetch decode execute cycle simultaneously
       • simultaneously= At the same time
   • Dual Core
     • 2 independent processors in the CPU working
   • Quad core
     • 4 independent processors in the CPU working
   • How?
     • Programs and data will load faster
       • Therefore more instructions can be processed at once