Date | May 2022 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 22M.1.SL.TZ0.11 |
Level | SL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | no time zone |
Command term | Explain | Question number | 11 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Explain how cache memory affects system performance.
Markscheme
Award [3 max].
Cache is high-speed memory;
Located between CPU and RAM;
Frequently used data/instructions are (temporarily) stored in cache memory;
To reduce the access time needed/Speed up retrieval time/To improve the speed of processing;
CPU searches as instruction’s address first in the cache, and if not found, in RAM;
Examiners report
Candidates were able to explain the positive impact of cache memory on system performance, with many high scoring responses.