Response time (technology) in the context of Processing power

In computing, computer performance is the amount of useful work accomplished by a computer system. Outside of specific contexts, computer performance is estimated in terms of accuracy, efficiency and speed of executing computer program instructions. When it comes to high computer performance, one or more of the following factors might be involved:

• Short response time for a given piece of work.
• High throughput (rate of processing work tasks).
• Low utilization of computing resources.
  • Fast (or highly compact) data compression and decompression.
• High availability of the computing system or application.
• High bandwidth.
• Short data transmission time.

In computer architecture, the memory hierarchy separates computer storage into a hierarchy based on response time. Since response time, complexity, and capacity are related, the levels may also be distinguished by their performance and controlling technologies. Memory hierarchy affects performance in computer architectural design, algorithm predictions, and lower level programming constructs involving locality of reference.

Designing for high performance requires considering the restrictions of the memory hierarchy, i.e. the size and capabilities of each component. Each of the various components can be viewed as part of a hierarchy of memories (m₁, m₂, ..., m_n) in which each member m_i is typically smaller and faster than the next highest member m_i+1 of the hierarchy. To limit waiting by higher levels, a lower level will respond by filling a buffer and then signaling for activating the transfer.