What can help improve cache hit rates? a) larger cache b) smaller cache c) bigger programs d) random memory access

Understand the Problem

The question is asking which option can help in improving cache hit rates, which refers to the efficiency of cache memory in accessing frequently used data. The options presented include varying sizes of caches and types of memory access.

More Information

A larger cache can hold more data, reducing the likelihood of cache misses, which occur when data needs to be fetched from a slower memory source. Increasing cache size generally improves the cache hit rate by allowing more frequently accessed data to reside within the cache longer.

Tips

One common mistake is to assume that a larger cache will always improve performance. While it generally increases hit rates, there can be downsides such as increased latency and power consumption.

Sources

• Multi-level caches - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
• Does larger cache size always lead to improved performance? - Stack Overflow - stackoverflow.com