Repeat 4.30.5, but now assume that the 4-issue processor has 50 pipeline stages. Assume that each of the original 5 stages is broken into 10 new stages, and that branches are executed in the first of ten new EX stages. What conclusion can you draw about the importance of good branch prediction when the pipeline depth of the processor is increased?

Exercise 4.30.5

Repeat 4.30.4, but for a 4-issue processor. What conclusion can you draw about the importance of good branch prediction when the issue width of the processor is increased?

Exercise 4.30.4

For a 2-issue static superscalar processor with a classic 5-stage pipeline, what speedup is achieved by making the branch prediction perfect?

In this exercise, we make several assumptions. First, we assume that an N-issue superscalar processor can execute any N instructions in the same cycle, regardless of their types. Second, we assume that every instruction is independently chosen, without regard for the instruction that precedes or follows it. Third, we assume that there are no stalls due to data dependences, that no delay slots are used, and that branches execute in the EX stage of the pipeline. Finally, we assume that instructions executed in the program are distributed as follows:

a. b. ALU 40% 45% Correctly Predicted BEQ Incorrectly Predicted BEQ 20% 4% 5% 1% LW 25% 30% SW 10% 20%