CODEWITHSUNDEEP
performanceoptimizationarchitecturehardware
Vilx-
Vilx-

Reputation: 106902

A good article on modern CPU features/performance optimizations?

After reading an article on virtual memory implications on application performance (and hence design) I once again realize how little I actually know about today's computer architecture. I have but a vague idea of what are caches, pipelines, branch prediction algorithms, how memory buses work, and probably dozens of other artifacts that could greatly improve my program performance if I only knew about them.

For my defense I can say that I alredy knew what VM (virtual memory) was and how it worked, though I'm ashamed that I didn't think of the implications before.

So... can anyone recommend any reading on the subject(s)? I'd vastly prefer online articles that can be read for free - but if you know a good book, don't hesitate to add that too!

P.S. I would also be interested how these lessons affect modern high-level environments like .NET, which is my primary residence.

Upvotes: 8

Views: 1114

Answers (3)

Mackie Messer
Mackie Messer

Reputation: 7348

Have a look at these guides by Intel and AMD:

  • Intel(R) 64 and IA-32 Architectures Optimization Reference Manual (PDF 4.5MB)
  • Software Optimization Guide for AMD Family 15h Processors (PDF 1.9MB)

It's more focused on C/C++ however. But many optimizations should work on .NET too.

Upvotes: 1

tauran
tauran

Reputation: 8036

Here's something about sse.

Upvotes: 2

Vilx-
Vilx-

Reputation: 106902

Just found this PDF by Ulrich Drepper, titled "What Every Programmer Should Know About Memory". Haven't read it, but looks spot on!

Upvotes: 3

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