What is Set-associative cache?
A cache organization in which data can go in any of several locations (ways) within the one set selected by the address. An n-way cache compares n tags in parallel on each access.
Field: Memory Hierarchy
Set-associative cache in the explanations
In a set-associative cache, part of the address selects a set, and data may occupy any of that set's ways—eight candidate slots in an 8-way cache—reducing conflict misses compared with direct mapping.
Which correctly describes a set-associative cache?A set-associative cache first selects one set with the index bits, then compares the tags of every way in that set in parallel.
In an 8-way set-associative cache, how many tags are compar…19 bits would apply to a 4-way set-associative cache, where the index shrinks by 2 bits, not to a direct-mapped one.
For a direct-mapped cache with 32-bit addresses, 32 KB capa…
Questions that mention Set-associative cache (5)
- Which correctly describes a set-associative cache?
- How many sets does a 4-way set-associative cache with 32-bit addresses, 32 KB capacity and 64-byte lines have?
- In an 8-way set-associative cache, how many tags are compared in parallel on each access?
- For a direct-mapped cache with 32-bit addresses, 32 KB capacity and 64-byte lines, how many tag bits are there?
- What changes when a cache is switched from direct-mapped to set-associative?
Related terms
Direct-mapped cache Average memory access time Cache line Capacity miss Compulsory miss Conflict miss Fully associative cache Loop blocking LRU replacement Miss penalty