Hi everyone,

I'm trying to do a review problem for an upcoming final in my
architecture class. However, I'm at a loss on how to solve the question
and couldn't find anything relevant in my notes, book, or google. The
question is:

"A computer system has 16MB of MM (main memory) and an 8K set
assocative cache. The cache block size is 16 bytes and the TAG field of
the MM address is 14bit wide. If the same cache were direct mapped then
the MM address will have a 11bit TAG field. Determine the total data
bytes in the cache as well as cache set associativity. "

I seem to be stuck because I don't know if its 2-way or 4-way etc.
Can anyone give me some hints or an explanation?

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]

Just off-head without thinking too much, can be wrong 

- tag is 14bit wide, and would be 11bit wide if associativity == 1.
- so, 3 bits contribute to associativity
- so, associativity is 8

--
Maxim Shatskih, Windows DDK MVP
StorageCraft Corporation
maxim@storagecraft.com
http://www.storagecraft.com

<xinocard@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1102727877.898307.95710@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm trying to do a review problem for an upcoming final in my
> architecture class. However, I'm at a loss on how to solve the question
> and couldn't find anything relevant in my notes, book, or google. The
> question is:
>
> "A computer system has 16MB of MM (main memory) and an 8K set
> assocative cache. The cache block size is 16 bytes and the TAG field of
> the MM address is 14bit wide. If the same cache were direct mapped then
> the MM address will have a 11bit TAG field. Determine the total data
> bytes in the cache as well as cache set associativity. "
>
> I seem to be stuck because I don't know if its 2-way or 4-way etc.
> Can anyone give me some hints or an explanation?
>

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]