Subject

    Computer Science

    Topic

    Computer Hardware

    What does 'cache coherence' refer to in a multi-core processor system?

    a)
    The speed at which the cache can communicate with the main memory.
    b)
    The policy for replacing data in the cache when it is full.
    c)
    The mechanism that ensures all processor cores have a consistent and up-to-date view of data in their local caches.
    d)
    The physical size of the cache on the CPU die.

    Explanation

    In a multi-core system, each core has its own cache. If one core modifies a piece of data, other cores' caches holding the old version become stale. Cache coherence protocols (like MESI) are vital to manage this, ensuring data integrity across the system.

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