Memory Hierarchy and Cache Design: Master the Basics with Interactive Quizzes

Question 1

In a memory hierarchy, which level typically offers the smallest capacity but the fastest access time?

Accepted Answer

Cache memory

Answer

Main memory

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Solid-state drive

Question 2

What is the primary goal of using a write-through cache?

Accepted Answer

To ensure data consistency between cache and main memory

Answer

To reduce memory access latency

Answer

To improve memory bandwidth

Answer

To reduce power consumption

Question 3

What is the purpose of using cache lines in cache design?

Accepted Answer

To group memory blocks for efficient transfer

Answer

To reduce cache coherence overhead

Answer

To improve cache utilization

Answer

To increase cache size

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a cache coherence protocol?

Accepted Answer

To ensure data consistency across multiple caches in a multiprocessor system

Answer

To reduce memory access latency

Answer

To increase cache hit rate

Answer

To prevent data corruption

Question 5

What is the key distinction between a write-through cache and a write-back cache?

Accepted Answer

Write-through caches immediately update main memory on every write, while write-back caches do not

Answer

Write-back caches are faster than write-through caches

Answer

Write-through caches are more power-efficient than write-back caches

Answer

Write-back caches are typically larger than write-through caches

Question 6

What is the primary drawback of a fully associative cache?

Accepted Answer

Higher cost and complexity

Answer

Increased access time

Answer

Limited capacity compared to other cache organizations

Answer

Reduced cache hit rate

Question 7

In a multi-processor system with a shared cache, what is the primary function of coherence protocols?

Accepted Answer

Prevent data corruption from concurrent access

Answer

Guarantee simultaneous data access for all processors

Answer

Minimize cache misses

Answer

Enhance overall system performance

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of a cache?

Accepted Answer

To minimize average memory access time

Answer

To increase the overall size of main memory

Answer

To provide data encryption and security

Answer

To reduce the number of instructions executed

Question 9

What is the primary function of a memory controller?

Accepted Answer

To manage the flow of data between the CPU and memory

Answer

To cache frequently accessed data

Answer

To enforce memory protection mechanisms

Answer

To translate virtual addresses to physical addresses

Question 10

What is the main advantage of using a virtual memory system?

Accepted Answer

It allows programs to access more memory than is physically available

Answer

It simplifies memory management for the operating system

Answer

It improves the security of the system

Answer

It reduces the number of page faults

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using a cache?

Accepted Answer

Lower cost

Answer

Improved performance

Answer

Reduced energy consumption

Answer

Faster access times

Question 12

In multiprocessor systems, the cache coherence protocol commonly used is:

Accepted Answer

MESI

Answer

OPT

Answer

LRU

Answer

FIFO

Question 13

The primary objective of a write-back cache is to:

Accepted Answer

Minimize memory bus transactions

Answer

Maximize cache hit rate

Answer

Reduce cache size

Question 14

The distinction between a set-associative cache and a fully-associative cache lies in:

Accepted Answer

Set-associative caches map data to specific sets within a cache line, whereas fully-associative caches map data anywhere in the cache.

Answer

Set-associative caches have a higher hit rate than fully-associative caches.

Question 15

A potential challenge associated with using a multi-level cache is:

Accepted Answer

Maintaining cache coherence

Answer

Higher power consumption

Answer

Reduced hit rate

Answer

Increased cache size

Question 16

The purpose of a virtual memory system is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide the illusion of a larger physical memory

Answer

Enhance cache performance exclusively

Answer

Handle page faults only

Question 17

A key benefit of using a hardware-managed Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) is:

Accepted Answer

Reduced software overhead

Answer

Increased TLB miss rate

Answer

Enhanced security

Question 18

The function of a replacement policy in a cache is to:

Accepted Answer

Determine which cache line to replace when a new line is required.

Answer

Specify the cache mapping technique

Answer

Define the size of the cache

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using cache memory?

Accepted Answer

Increased latency

Answer

Reduced access time

Answer

Improved performance

Answer

Lower power consumption

Question 20

What is the main purpose of a cache coherence protocol?

Accepted Answer

To ensure data consistency across multiple processors sharing the same cache

Answer

To reduce the size of the cache

Answer

To improve the performance of the cache

Answer

To manage the replacement policy for the cache

Question 21

Which of these cache replacement policies is based on the principle of replacing the least recently used data block?

Accepted Answer

Least Recently Used (LRU)

Answer

First In First Out (FIFO)

Answer

Most Recently Used (MRU)

Answer

Least Frequently Used (LFU)

Question 22

Which two factors primarily influence the size of a cache?

Accepted Answer

Capacity and associativity

Answer

Cost and power consumption

Answer

Latency and cost

Answer

Speed and cost

Question 23

What is the key difference between a direct-mapped cache and a set-associative cache?

Accepted Answer

A direct-mapped cache maps each memory block to a specific cache line, while a set-associative cache allows a block to be placed in any of the lines within a designated set.

Answer

Direct-mapped caches are always smaller than set-associative caches.

Answer

Set-associative caches are faster but more complex than direct-mapped caches.

Question 24

What is a primary advantage of using a fully associative cache?

Accepted Answer

Reduced cache misses due to greater flexibility in block placement

Answer

Lower power consumption due to fewer cache accesses

Answer

Simpler cache design compared to other types

Answer

Increased cache size without impacting performance

Question 25

What is the primary function of a Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB)?

Accepted Answer

To speed up virtual-to-physical address translation

Answer

To ensure cache coherence in multiprocessor systems

Answer

To store frequently used pages in memory

Answer

To handle cache misses by retrieving data from main memory

Question 26

What is the key distinction between a memory hierarchy and a cache hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

A memory hierarchy encompasses all levels of memory (main memory, secondary memory, etc.), while a cache hierarchy specifically refers to the organization of cache memories within the memory system.

Answer

A cache hierarchy is always larger than a memory hierarchy.