Technology synergy for real system performance

Summary form only given, as follows. The rate of technological advancement and innovation surrounding the computer industry is enormous. Although the exponential gains in semiconductor density and performance are widely observed, the specific implications and opportunities represented by them are the subject of much debate. Similarly, although there has been large amount of innovation and progress in improved architectural concepts, parallelizing compilers, memory performance, system-level robustness, multiprocessor system design, and microprocessor machine organization, the appropriate balance point of these concepts is also the subject of much debate. This paper examines aspects of several key technology progressions, and connects the opportunities represented by them with the goal of demonstrating improved technology synergy for real system performance. As part of this discussion, the idea of real system performance is examined from several different angles. While it is clear that raw processing capability is a first order performance consideration, the specific of balance of optimization across the range of system parameters is an equally important consideration for real performance. In addition, although other system characteristics such as compatibility, upgradability, control, management, and robustness do not contribute directly to raw performance, they do play an important role in the delivery of real system performance as seen by the customer. Furthermore, in many cases, the same technology that opens up opportunities at one level also opens up weaknesses at another level. The idea of technology synergy works to balance these considerations.