The interaction of last-level-cache mechanisms on modern processors

Modern processors implement and support multiple mechanisms to improve the utilization of the Last-Level-Cache (LLC) resources. As such mechanisms target the same cache resources, it is important to investigate the interactions between them. This paper investigates the interaction between two LLC mechanisms: Dynamic-Set-Sampling (DSS), and Software-based LLC Partitioning (SLP). It demonstrates that such interactions are important as they may reduce LLC utilization. A two-step methodology is proposed to prevent low LLC utilization.