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Computer Organization: Cache Memory

This document discusses cache memory, defining it as a special buffer storage that is smaller and faster than main memory. It is used to hold copies of frequently used instructions and data from main memory in order to provide faster access for the processor. The document outlines various characteristics of memory including location, capacity, unit of transfer, access methods, and organization. It provides details on cache operation, explaining how the CPU first checks the cache and retrieves data from there if it's present, or else loads the required block from main memory into the cache.

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Nana Owusu Mensah
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views

Computer Organization: Cache Memory

This document discusses cache memory, defining it as a special buffer storage that is smaller and faster than main memory. It is used to hold copies of frequently used instructions and data from main memory in order to provide faster access for the processor. The document outlines various characteristics of memory including location, capacity, unit of transfer, access methods, and organization. It provides details on cache operation, explaining how the CPU first checks the cache and retrieves data from there if it's present, or else loads the required block from main memory into the cache.

Uploaded by

Nana Owusu Mensah
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

Cache Memory

TONNY ADEGBOYEGA

Definition
Cache Memory is a special buffer storage, smaller and faster than main storage. It is used to hold a copy of instructions and data in main storage that are likely to be needed next by the processor and that have been obtained automatically from main memory.

Characteristics of Memory
Location Capacity Unit of transfer Access method Performance Physical type Physical characteristics Organisation

Location
CPU Internal External

Capacity
Internal memories capacities are expressed in terms of bytes(8bits=1 byte) or words Common word lengths are 8, 16, 32 and 64bits External memories are typically expressed in bytes eg KB, MB, GB

Unit of Transfer
Internal
Usually governed by data bus width

External
Usually a block which is much larger than a word

Access Methods (1)


Sequential
Start at the beginning and read through in order Access time depends on location of data and previous location e.g. tape

Direct
Individual blocks have unique address Access is by jumping to vicinity plus sequential search Access time depends on location and previous location e.g. disk

Access Methods (2)


Random
Individual addresses identify locations exactly Access time is independent of location or previous access e.g. RAM

Associative
Data is located by a comparison with contents of a portion of the store Access time is independent of location or previous access e.g. cache

Memory Hierarchy
Registers
In CPU

Internal or Main memory


May include one or more levels of cache RAM

External memory
Backing store

Memory Hierarchy - Diagram

Cache
Small amount of fast memory Sits between normal main memory and CPU May be located on CPU chip or module

Cache and Main Memory

Cache operation overview


CPU requests contents of memory location Check cache for this data If present, get from cache (fast) If not present, read required block from main memory to cache Then deliver from cache to CPU Cache includes tags to identify which block of main memory is in each cache slot

Cache Read Operation - Flowchart

Size does matter


Cost
More cache is expensive

Speed
More cache is faster (up to a point) Checking cache for data takes time

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