We investigate the unusual way memory subsystem interacts with branch prediction and how this interaction shapes software performance.
All posts in Low Level Performance
Multithreading and the Memory Subsystem
In this post we investigate how the memory subsystem behaves in an environment where several threads compete for memory subsystem resources. We also investigate techniques to improve the performance of multithreaded programs – programs that split the workload onto several CPU cores so that they finish faster.
Speeding Up Translation of Virtual To Physical Memory Addresses: TLB and Huge Pages
In this post we explore how to speed up our memory intensive programs by decreasing the number of TLB cache misses
Faster hash maps, binary trees etc. through data layout modification
We investigate how to make faster hash maps, trees, linked lists and vector of pointers by changing their data layout.
Performance Through Memory Layout
In this post we investigate how we can improve the performance of our memory-intensive codes through changing the memory layout of our performance-critical data structures.
Measuring Memory Subsystem Performance
In this post we introduce a few most common tools used for memory subsystem performance debugging.
Hiding Memory Latency With In-Order CPU Cores OR How Compilers Optimize Your Code
We investigate techniques for hiding memory latency on in-order CPU cores. The same techniques that the compilers employ.
Software Performance and Class Layout
We investigate the secret connection between class layout and software performance. And of course, how to make your software faster.
Decreasing the Number of Memory Accesses: The Compiler’s Secret Life 2/2
We investigate memory loads and stores that the compiler inserts for us without our knowledge: “the compiler’s secret life”. We show that these loads and stores, although necessary for the compiler are not necessary for the correct functioning of our program. And finally, we explain how you can improve the performance of your program by removing them.
Decreasing the Number of Memory Accesses 1/2
In this post, we are investigating a few common ways to decrease the number of memory accesses in your program.