CPUs and architecture

In a multicore CPU, which mechanism keeps data consistent when the caches of several cores hold data for the same address?

  1. ABranch prediction
  2. BTLB
  3. CCache coherence control
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Answer: C. Cache coherence control

If one core updates data in its cache while old data remains in other cores' caches, those cores would use wrong values. Cache coherence control keeps data consistent across all cores, for example by notifying other cores of the update and invalidating their stale copies.

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More CPUs and architecture questions

  1. Which technique reduces CPU power consumption by dynamically changing operating frequency and supply voltage according to the load?
  2. Which is an example of vulnerabilities revealing attacks that exploit traces of speculative execution left in the cache to infer data that should not be accessible?
  3. Which metric indicates the amount of heat generated under a standard heavy load, used as a guide for CPU cooling design?
  4. Which metric indicates the number of instructions executed per clock?
  5. What is the problem called in which power and heat constraints prevent all circuits on a chip from running at full performance at the same time?