Systems ArchitectureComparison
Performance Factor Comparison
Part of CPU Performance Factors — GCSE Computer Science
This comparison covers Performance Factor Comparison 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 6 of 7 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 6 of 7
Practice
15 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
Performance Factor Comparison
| Factor | How It Helps | Limitation | Measured In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock Speed | More FDE cycles per second | Heat/power limit (~5 GHz max) | GHz (billions/second) |
| Cores | Multiple tasks simultaneously | Programs must support multi-threading | Number (2, 4, 8, etc.) |
| Cache | Reduces wait time for data | Very expensive, limited space on chip | MB (megabytes) |