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Cache Loading

Loading

Loading is the process by which a requested value is fetched from the memory via the cache.

  • A load request is issued by the processor. This memory block may or may not be present in the cache
  • If it is present, this is referred to as a cache hit. If it is not, then it is called a cache miss.
  • If there's a cache hit, the value is fetched directly from the cache.
  • If there's a cache miss, the blcok is loaded into the cache, and the value is fetched from there.

Cache Misses

  • Compulsory Misses - misses that occur the first time that a memory block is loaded
  • Capacity Misses - misses that occur because the cache is too small, and would be unavoidable even with an ideal replacement policy.
  • Conflict Misses - misses that would've been avoidable in a situation with complete associativity

Improving Loading Time

  • A small, less associative cache leads to faster retrieval from cache hits
  • A larger, more associative cache leads to less cache misses