How does it work when data is completely associatively stored in a cache?
How does it work when data is completely associatively stored in a cache?
In computer architecture, cache memory is a type of high-speed memory that acts as a buffer between the main memory and the CPU. Cache memory stores frequently used data and instructions to reduce the number of memory accesses required from the slower main memory. When data is stored in an associative cache, it means that the cache memory can store multiple data blocks at the same memory location. The cache memory is designed to store data in such a way that it can be retrieved quickly when needed. An associative cache operates using a mapping function that maps a memory address to a cache location. In an associative cache, data is stored in a set of cache lines, and each cache line can store multiple data blocks.
When the CPU requests data, the cache controller uses the memory address to perform a search operation on all cache lines to see if the data is present in the cache. If the data is found, the cache controller returns the data directly from the cache, and the data is said to be cache-hit. If the data is not found, a cache miss occurs, and the data must be fetched from the main memory and stored in the cache. The cache controller selects a cache line to store the data based on replacement policies, such as Least Recently Used (LRU) or Most Recently Used (MRU). The goal of these policies is to determine which cache line is least likely to be used in the near future, so it can be replaced with the new data.
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