Western Governors University (WGU) ICSC3120 C952 Computer Architecture Practice Exam

Question: 1 / 400

What is defined as the minimum unit of information that can be either present or not present in a cache?

Block

The minimum unit of information that can be either present or not present in a cache is referred to as a block. In the context of cache memory, a block, also known as a cache line, is the smallest unit of data that can be transferred between the cache and main memory. When data is loaded into the cache, it is brought in as a block, which typically contains multiple bytes of data.

Understanding the concept of a block is essential because it directly influences cache performance metrics such as hit rate, miss penalty, and hit time. Each of these metrics is affected by how data is organized and accessed within the blocks in the cache. The effective use of blocks helps in optimizing the cache to improve data retrieval speeds and overall system efficiency.

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Hit Rate

Miss Penalty

Hit Time

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