SP-NUCA: a cost effective dynamic non-uniform cache architecture

1 This paper presents a simple but effective method to reduce on-chip access latency and improve core isolation in CMP Non-Uniform Cache Architectures (NUCA). The paper introduces a feasible way to allocate cache blocks according to the access pattern. Each L2 bank is dynamically partitioned at set level in private and shared content. Simply by adjusting the replacement algorithm, we can place private data closer to its owner processor. In contrast, independently of the accessing processor, shared data is always placed in the same position. This approach is capable of reducing on-chip latency without significantly sacrificing hit rates or increasing implementation cost of a conventional static NUCA. Additionally, most of the unnecessary interference between cores in private accesses is removed. To support the architectural decisions adopted and provide a comparative study, a comprehensive evaluation framework is employed. The workbench is composed of a full system simulator, and a repr...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2008
• Where: SIGARCH
• Authors: Javier Merino, Valentin Puente, Pablo Prieto, José-Ángel Gregorio
• Keywords: CMP Non-Uniform Cache, Conventional Static Nuca, Dynamic Nuca, SIGARCH 2008