Experiencing Quantitative Computer Architecture

Computer architecture often requires quantitative methods, either to evaluate the performance potential of a new concept or to search for the best solution within a range of competing configurations. This concept is relatively straightforward to explain in a tutorial setting, but arguably explanation alone is insufficient to give a deep understanding of the quantitative method. In this paper we present an overview of the practical component within one, short, undergraduate computer architecture class at Edinburgh University, and explain how the practical component not only helps to reinforce the notion of quantitative methods but also informs the presentation of a wide range of architecture-related material. Keywords--- Computer architecture, undergraduate teaching. I. Introduction C OMMON sense and experience suggests that the notions of quantitative computer architecture typically presented in lectures at undergraduate level need motivating by practical examples. It can be parti..