Performance Metrics: Evaluation and Tools

This lecture delves into the metrics and methodologies used to measure the performance of multiprocessor architectures. Starting with an overview of evaluating systems, the instructor discusses the importance of accurate metrics, the implications of Amdahl's Law, and the significance of different means such as arithmetic, harmonic, and geometric averages. The lecture further explores the challenges of performance evaluation in multiprocessor systems, the need for better performance metrics, and the impact of factors like cost, reliability, and operation cost. Additionally, it covers the use of FPGA-accelerated simulation, the pros and cons of performance counters, and the characteristics of commercial server software. The lecture concludes with insights on benchmarks, workloads, and the core inefficiencies observed in hardware counters.