Deep Dive: Why We Need All Three Factors
Part of CPU Performance Factors — GCSE Computer Science
This deep dive covers Deep Dive: Why We Need All Three Factors within CPU Performance Factors for GCSE Computer Science. Revise CPU Performance Factors in Systems Architecture for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 2 of 7 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 2 of 7
Practice
15 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
Deep Dive: Why We Need All Three Factors
Why can't we just increase clock speed forever? In the early 2000s, CPUs hit a wall. Increasing clock speed beyond about 4-5 GHz generates so much heat that the CPU would melt! This is why modern CPUs focus on multiple cores and larger cache instead of just raw speed.
The Power Wall: Doubling clock speed roughly quadruples power consumption and heat generation. At very high speeds, the CPU uses more power for cooling than for actual computing!
Modern approach: Instead of a single 10 GHz core (impossible to cool), we have 8 cores at 3 GHz each. This gives better overall performance while staying cool and efficient. Plus large cache (up to 64MB!) reduces memory wait times.