CPU Performance Factors Flashcards

The number of instructions a CPU can execute per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher clock speed means more instructions can be processed per second.

A small amount of very fast memory located close to the CPU. A larger cache size allows more frequently used data to be stored, reducing the need to access slower main memory.

The number of independent processing units within a CPU. More cores allow more tasks to be processed simultaneously, improving performance for multitasking.

A higher clock speed increases the number of instructions executed per second, improving the CPU's performance.

A larger cache size reduces the time needed to access frequently used data, improving the CPU's efficiency.

More cores enable the CPU to process multiple instructions at the same time, improving performance for multitasking and parallel processing.

Increasing clock speed generates more heat, which may require better cooling systems to prevent overheating.

Single-core performance depends on clock speed, while multi-core performance depends on the number of cores and how well tasks are distributed across them.

Adding more cores does not always improve performance if the software cannot take advantage of parallel processing.

Cache reduces the need to access slower RAM, speeding up data retrieval and improving overall CPU performance.