CPUs and architecture

What is the main purpose of putting multiple processor cores on one chip (multicore)?

  1. ATo increase performance per watt through parallel processing
  2. BTo eliminate the need for an instruction set
  3. CTo eliminate the need for main memory
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. To increase performance per watt through parallel processing

Continuing to raise clock frequency made power consumption and heat too great, so the industry moved toward raising performance by sharing work across multiple cores. To get the benefit, however, software must also be able to split its work into parallel tasks.

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More CPUs and architecture questions

  1. Which is a characteristic of RISC (reduced instruction set computer)?
  2. What is the period of a 1 GHz clock?
  3. What is the purpose of branch prediction in a CPU?
  4. What is the main reason GPUs are well suited to matrix operations and AI training and inference?
  5. If the cache access time is 10 ns, the main memory access time is 100 ns, and the cache hit rate is 90%, what is the average access time?