Parametrization of computer performance

Abstract

A number of parameters are defined for describing the variation of computer performance with vector length, work per memory reference, grain size, and the number of processors used. These are respectively, n1 2, f1 2, s1 2, and the parameter pair (p1 2, p). Where possible parameters are related to quantities that are likely to be known by the programmer, and which are easily measured. Measurements of the parameters are given for the Denelcor HEP, CRAY X-MP, FPS 5000 and an IBM 4381 hosting ten FPS-164 computers. © 1987.