You have been asked to investigate the relative performance of a banked versus pipelined L1 data cache for a new microprocessor. Assume a 64 KB two-way set associative cache with 64-byte blocks. The pipelined cache would consist of three pipe stages, similar in capacity to the Alpha 21264 data cache. A banked implementation would consist of two 32 KB two-way set associative banks. Use CACTI and assume a 65 nm (0.065 m) technology to answer the following questions. The cycle time output in the web version shows at what frequency a cache can operate without any bubbles in the pipeline.

a. What is the cycle time of the cache in comparison to its access time, and how many pipe stages will the cache take up (to two decimal places)?

b. Compare the area and total dynamic read energy per access of the pipelined design versus the banked design. State which takes up less area and which requires more power, and explain why that might be.