BICS 1302 - CHAPTER 5 CACHE MEMORY

What is the primary purpose of cache memory?

• To replace main memory

• To provide high-speed data access while maintaining large storage capacity

• To store permanent data

• To reduce processor clock speed

What happens when a processor requests data from memory?

• The cache is checked first for the requested data

• Data is always retrieved from main memory

• The processor waits for the operating system to process the request

• The processor bypasses cache and fetches from the hard drive

What occurs when the requested word is NOT found in the cache?

• The processor generates an error message

• The system resets memory

• A block of memory is transferred from main memory to cache

• The cache memory is erased and rewritten

What is stored in each cache line?

• Only a single word of data

• A block of words and a tag identifying the main memory block

• Only addresses

• Only instructions

Why do cache lines include control bits?

• To specify memory speed

• To indicate modifications and manage validity

• To increase cache size

• To store additional instructions

What happens when there are more memory blocks than cache lines?

• Memory performance slows down

• Blocks must be dynamically allocated to available cache lines

• Cache stops functioning

• The processor halts execution

If data is present in the cache, what is the next step?

• The processor reads the data directly from the cache

• The processor fetches data from main memory

• The processor searches for data in secondary storage

• The processor executes an interrupt

What component is used to identify which memory block is in a cache slot?

• Memory Address Register

• Cache Tags

• Instruction Register

• Data Bus

How does the cache communicate with the processor?

• Through data, control, and address lines

• By directly modifying main memory

• Through wireless signals

• By bypassing the memory unit

What happens during a cache hit?

• The processor retrieves data directly from cache without system bus involvement

• The processor retrieves data from main memory

• The processor resets the cache

• The operating system updates the memory management unit