High-Performance Computing

Serial Tuning for Cache-based Systems

Did you ever have the feeling that you have just bought a computer that should perform like a

[Ferrari F40]
Source: http://www.freephotosbank.com but your applications run more like a [Banana soapbox]
Source: ManYee DeSandies, http://pics.tech4learning.com

- then you should probably read on.

The memory hierarchy

Almost all modern computer systems have a design that is similar to the one shown here:

A cache based system.

i.e. there is a hierarchy of different memory sizes and speeds.