Memory Hierarchy: Levels, Technologies, and Performance

Question 1

In a typical memory hierarchy, which level offers the fastest access speed but has the smallest capacity?

Accepted Answer

Registers

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main memory

Answer

Secondary storage

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of incorporating a cache in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently accessed data and instructions closer to the processor, enabling faster access.

Answer

To provide redundant storage in case of main memory failure.

Answer

To offload less frequently used data away from the processor.

Answer

To translate virtual memory addresses into physical memory addresses.

Question 3

What is the primary advantage of utilizing flash memory in secondary storage devices?

Accepted Answer

Its non-volatile nature allows for data retention even without power.

Answer

It provides faster access time compared to traditional hard disk drives.

Answer

It offers lower power consumption than magnetic storage.

Answer

It is more cost-effective than other secondary storage options.

Question 4

Among the various cache mapping techniques, which one offers the most flexible placement of data within the cache?

Accepted Answer

Fully associative mapping

Answer

Direct mapping

Answer

Set-associative mapping

Answer

Random mapping

Question 5

In a multiprocessor system, what is the primary cause of cache coherence issues?

Accepted Answer

Multiple processors can possess distinct copies of the same data, leading to inconsistencies.

Answer

Caches may not be updated when data is modified in main memory.

Answer

Bus contention can hinder cache access, resulting in data inconsistencies.

Answer

Operating system scheduling can interfere with cache coherence mechanisms.

Question 6

Which of the following is a key benefit provided by a memory management unit (MMU)?

Accepted Answer

It facilitates address translation and memory protection.

Answer

It enhances cache performance by minimizing cache misses.

Answer

It optimizes memory allocation, reducing memory access time.

Answer

It eliminates the need for virtual memory.

Question 7

What is a primary limitation associated with implementing a memory hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Increased complexity and associated costs.

Answer

Compromised overall system performance.

Answer

Inability to accommodate large datasets.

Answer

Increased security vulnerabilities due to multiple levels of data storage.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT considered a level in the memory hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Hard Disk Drive

Answer

Registers

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main Memory

Question 9

What type of memory technology is commonly used in CPUs and provides the fastest access times?

Accepted Answer

SRAM

Answer

DRAM

Answer

Flash Memory

Answer

EEPROM

Question 10

What is the primary advantage of using a cache memory?

Accepted Answer

Reduced access time

Answer

Increased storage capacity

Answer

Lower cost

Answer

Improved error handling

Question 11

Which of the following is a common technique used to improve the performance of DRAM?

Accepted Answer

Row buffering

Answer

Write combining

Answer

Virtual memory

Answer

Parity checking

Question 12

What is the main difference between static and dynamic RAM?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic RAM requires constant refreshing, while static RAM does not.

Answer

Static RAM requires constant refreshing, while dynamic RAM does not.

Answer

Static RAM is faster than dynamic RAM.

Answer

Dynamic RAM is faster than static RAM.

Question 13

What is a key responsibility of a memory controller?

Accepted Answer

To manage memory access requests

Answer

To store data temporarily

Answer

To provide error correction

Answer

To translate virtual addresses to physical addresses

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a level of the memory hierarchy in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Optical disk

Answer

Registers

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main memory

Question 15

Which memory technology is known for its volatility, meaning it loses data when power is removed?

Accepted Answer

DRAM

Answer

SRAM

Answer

Flash memory

Answer

EEPROM

Question 16

Which of the following is an advantage of utilizing a cache memory?

Accepted Answer

Reduced access time for frequently accessed data

Answer

Increased overall memory capacity

Answer

Elimination of memory access conflicts

Answer

Lower power consumption

Question 17

Which technique optimizes cache performance by storing data that is likely to be used together?

Accepted Answer

Locality of reference

Answer

Write-back caching

Answer

Write-through caching

Answer

Prefetching

Question 18

What metric measures the rate at which data can be transferred between memory and the processor?

Accepted Answer

Bandwidth

Answer

Access time

Answer

Capacity

Answer

Throughput

Question 19

Which disadvantage is associated with using a virtual memory system?

Accepted Answer

Potential performance degradation due to page faults

Answer

Increased overall system performance

Answer

Elimination of disk space limitations

Answer

Reduced frequency of page faults

Question 20

Which type of storage device is characterized by non-volatility and is commonly used in portable electronic devices?

Accepted Answer

Solid-state drive (SSD)

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Random access memory (RAM)

Answer

Cache memory

Question 21

Within the memory hierarchy, which level generally has the slowest access time and lowest bandwidth?

Accepted Answer

Secondary Storage

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main Memory

Question 22

In a memory hierarchy with registers, cache, and main memory, which level offers the best balance between access time and capacity? Provide a brief explanation.

Accepted Answer

Cache

Answer

Registers

Answer

Main Memory

Answer

Secondary Storage

Question 23

What is the primary performance metric used to measure the speed of memory access?

Accepted Answer

Access time

Answer

Capacity

Answer

Bandwidth

Answer

Latency

Question 24

Which of the following is a key advantage of using a cache memory?

Accepted Answer

Reduced access time

Answer

Increased capacity

Answer

Lower cost

Answer

Higher bandwidth

Question 25

What is the main purpose of a memory controller?

Accepted Answer

To manage data transfer between memory and processor

Answer

To store the operating system

Answer

To provide error correction

Answer

To cache frequently accessed data

Question 26

What is the primary purpose of virtual memory in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To extend the capacity of physical memory

Answer

To improve security

Answer

To enhance the performance of the operating system

Answer

To store temporary data

Question 27

Which level of the memory hierarchy is NOT directly accessible by the processor?

Accepted Answer

Secondary storage

Answer

Registers

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main memory

Question 28

Which memory technology provides the fastest access time and is used in CPU caches?

Accepted Answer

SRAM

Answer

DRAM

Answer

Flash memory

Answer

Secondary storage

Question 29

Which performance metric measures the amount of data that can be transferred from memory per second?

Accepted Answer

Bandwidth

Answer

Access time

Answer

Capacity

Answer

Latency

Question 30

What is the purpose of a cache in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To reduce memory access time for frequently used data

Answer

To increase the capacity of main memory

Answer

To store data that is not currently being processed

Answer

To provide long-term data storage

Question 31

What is the key advantage of using flash memory in portable devices?

Accepted Answer

Non-volatile storage

Answer

High access time

Answer

Low capacity

Answer

High power consumption

Question 32

What is the function of a memory controller in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Manage data flow to and from memory

Answer

Store data temporarily

Answer

Cache frequently used data

Answer

Process data

Question 33

In a typical memory hierarchy, which level provides the fastest access and is physically smallest?

Accepted Answer

Registers

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main memory

Answer

Secondary storage

Question 34

Which performance metric measures the time it takes to initially access a unit of data in memory?

Accepted Answer

Access time

Answer

Bandwidth

Answer

Capacity

Answer

Latency

Question 35

What is the primary purpose of a cache in a computer's memory hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently accessed data closer to the processor, reducing access time

Answer

To increase the overall storage capacity of the system beyond physical memory limitations

Answer

To improve the bandwidth of the memory system by providing a faster data transfer path

Answer

To reduce the access time of secondary storage devices by acting as a buffer

Question 36

Which advantage does DRAM offer over SRAM when used in main memory design?

Accepted Answer

Lower cost per bit, enabling larger memory capacities

Answer

Higher speed, resulting in faster data access

Answer

Lower power consumption, improving energy efficiency

Answer

Greater durability, ensuring longer lifespan of stored data

Question 37

What is the primary rationale for employing a memory hierarchy in computer systems?

Accepted Answer

To optimize system performance by exploiting the principle of locality of reference

Answer

To reduce the overall cost of the memory system by utilizing cheaper and slower memory technologies

Answer

To increase the total storage capacity of the system beyond the limitations of a single memory technology

Answer

To improve the reliability of the memory system by providing redundancy and error correction mechanisms

Question 38

Which technique is commonly used to minimize cache misses and improve cache performance?

Accepted Answer

Prefetching

Answer

Write-back caching

Answer

Virtual memory

Answer

Error correction code (ECC)

Question 39

In the memory hierarchy, which level provides the fastest access time and is located closest to the processor?

Accepted Answer

Registers

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main memory

Answer

Secondary storage

Question 40

Which memory technology is utilized in cache memory?

Accepted Answer

SRAM

Answer

DRAM

Answer

Flash memory

Answer

Hard disk drive

Question 41

What is the role of virtual memory?

Accepted Answer

Extend physical memory size using secondary storage

Answer

Enhance performance by minimizing page faults

Answer

Provide a secure environment for application execution

Answer

Allow multiple users to share the same physical memory

Question 42

Which memory type is employed in solid-state drives (SSDs)?

Accepted Answer

Flash memory

Answer

DRAM

Answer

SRAM

Answer

Hard disk drive

Question 43

Which technique is responsible for allocating memory dynamically during program execution?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic allocation

Answer

Static allocation

Answer

Virtual memory

Answer

Paging

Question 44

Which component within the memory hierarchy offers the fastest data access?

Accepted Answer

Registers

Answer

Secondary storage

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main memory

Question 45

What primary advantage does a cache provide within the memory hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Reduced latency for frequently accessed data

Answer

Lower power consumption

Answer

Diminished overall cost

Answer

Expanded storage capacity

Question 46

Which memory technology is employed in main memory systems?

Accepted Answer

DRAM

Answer

SRAM

Answer

Magnetic disk

Answer

Flash memory

Question 47

Which characteristic is a defining feature of secondary storage devices?

Accepted Answer

Non-volatile nature

Answer

Swift access time

Answer

Limited storage capacity

Answer

High bandwidth

Question 48

What is the primary function of a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Translating virtual addresses into their corresponding physical addresses

Answer

Providing protection against unauthorized memory access

Answer

Managing memory allocation

Answer

Caching frequently used instructions

Question 49

Explain the fundamental difference between write-through and write-back cache policies in a computer system.

Accepted Answer

Write-through immediately updates the main memory, while write-back defers the update until the cached data is replaced

Answer

Write-through offers faster performance than write-back

Question 50

In a memory hierarchy, which level of memory typically has the smallest capacity and the fastest access time?

Accepted Answer

Registers

Answer

Cache

Answer

Main memory

Question 51

Which memory technology is known for its high speed and low power consumption?

Accepted Answer

SRAM

Answer

DRAM

Answer

Flash memory

Question 52

What is the purpose of a cache memory in a memory hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the average access time to main memory

Answer

To increase the overall capacity of the memory system

Answer

To improve the reliability of the memory system

Answer

To provide non-volatile data storage

Question 53

Which performance metric measures the amount of data that can be transferred between memory and the processor per unit time?

Accepted Answer

Bandwidth

Answer

Latency

Answer

Capacity

Answer

Access time

Question 54

In a page-based memory management system, what is the term for the unit of data that is transferred between main memory and secondary storage?

Accepted Answer

Page

Answer

Frame

Answer

Block

Answer

Segment

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the performance of a memory hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Processor clock speed

Answer

Memory bandwidth

Answer

Cache size

Answer

Memory access time

Question 56

What is the purpose of interleaving memory modules?

Accepted Answer

To increase the effective bandwidth of the memory system

Answer

To reduce the access time to individual memory modules

Answer

To improve the reliability of the memory system

Question 57

Which of the following is a technique used to reduce cache coherence issues?

Accepted Answer

Snooping

Answer

Segmentation

Answer

Paging

Answer

Parity checking