Cache Associativity¶
Associativity¶
Associativity dictates how a block of memory may be loaded into a cache slot. Cache policies in ascending order of associativity are.
Direct Mapped¶
One block can only fit in one cache slot
n-way Set Associative¶
A block can fit in one of n cache slots
Fully Associative¶
Any block can fit in any cache slot
Effect of Associativity¶
The more associative a cache is:
- The more time it takes to search a block within the cache.
- The less often blocks need to be replaced within the cache.