What characteristics distinguish the various elements of a memory hierarchy?

Answer 1

Registers >> Cache >> Main Memory >> Magnetic disk >> Magnetic

tape

•

As one goes down the hierarchy, the following occur:

a

. Decreasing cost per bit

b

. Increasing capacity

c

. Increasing access time

d

. Decreasing frequency of access to the memory by

the

processor

Answer 2

The main characteristics that distinguish the various elements of a memory hierarchy are speed, cost, and size. Typically, the higher levels of the memory hierarchy (such as Registers and Cache) are faster, smaller, and more expensive per byte, while the lower levels (such as Main Memory and Storage) are slower, larger, and less expensive. This hierarchy is designed to exploit the tradeoff between speed and cost to optimize overall system performance.