Question

•From the e-Activity, determine the type of cache memory (i.e., Level 1, Level 2, or another type) that resides on a computer that you own or on a computer that you would consider purchasing. Examine the primary manner in which the type of cache memory that you have identified interfaces with the CPU and memory on your computer. Determine which type of cache memory is the most efficient, and provide one (1) example that depicts the manner in which the use of one (1) type of cache memory makes your computer processing more efficient than another. •Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of both symmetrical and master-slave multiprocessing systems in regards to computer processing speed, multiprocessing configuration, overheating, and cost. Of the two (2), recommend the type of processor that would be better suited for a computer that is primarily used for the following: Word processing, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and computer gaming. Provide a rationale for your response.

Answer 1

There are generally 3 types of memory in a Computer, mainly Hard Drive(Main Storage), RAM, Cache Memory. Cache Memory is the fastest but is very small in capacity. Cache Memory is of 3 types - Level 1, Level 2, Level 3. In every core of the processor, Level 1 and Level 2 are separated from each other while Level 3 is shared between all the cores.

Level 1 - It is the fastest among all other types cache and is built into the processor, but it is smallest than the other in size

Level 2- This type of cache can be inside the processor or on a separate IC's near the processor. But there will be a high speed bus between Processor and IC's, so that Processor can directly access this cache.

Level 3- It is separate memory which is about double the speed of RAM, but this cache is shared among all the cores.

In Computers, CPU Processes a large amount of instructions every second, it needs to perform continuous Read-Write operations in memory. So, here Cache Memory comes into picture, Cache Memory stores all the frequently used instructions in it. So, every time the CPU needs to fetch data from Memory, it will not go to RAM, rather than it will look in the cache for that instruction. If it founds it in Cache itself, then the processing speed of the CPU becomes very fast. Hence, CPU can perform the Read-Write operations from the Cache resulting in increased performance of the CPU.

Level 1 Cache Memory is the most efficient one among the three mainly because it is build onto the processor so CPU can access data from it very quickly and thus enhances the performance of the processor .

Multiprocessing systems are the one having more than one processor and they can execute multiple process at a time In Symmetric Multiprocessing, processors shares the same memory. In Master-Slave Multiprocessing system, master processor runs on the system and  all other (slave) processors comes to the master processor to get tasks or instructions assigned to them.

1. Processing Speed of Symmetric is much higher than Master-Slave Multiprocessor because in Symmetric Multiprocessing all the processors in the system run tasks in OS. whereas in Master-Slave Multiprocessing only the master processor runs task in OS.

2. Asymmetric multiprocessing systems(Master-Slave systems) are cheaper than Symmetric multiprocessing systems.

For Word processing and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Master-Slave Multiprocessor System will be a better option as these operations does not need high end processing speed and it is also cheaper than Symmetric Multiprocessor. But for smooth Computer gaming experience Symmetric Multiprocessor Systems are better suited because there processing speed is much higher than the that of Master-Slave Multiprocessors.