is it possible for code executed on a modern CPU to become faster even though it does something that looks like extra work?

Follow

@grainloom depending on what that work is, how it's ordered, and what specific CPU is being used, yes, a single core might reorder instructions in the pipeline to execute more concurrently, even if it is perceptively serial, which would be significantly faster than a naive CPU

Sign in to participate in the conversation
Awoo Space

Awoo.space is a Mastodon instance where members can rely on a team of moderators to help resolve conflict, and limits federation with other instances using a specific access list to minimize abuse.

While mature content is allowed here, we strongly believe in being able to choose to engage with content on your own terms, so please make sure to put mature and potentially sensitive content behind the CW feature with enough description that people know what it's about.

Before signing up, please read our community guidelines. While it's a very broad swath of topics it covers, please do your best! We believe that as long as you're putting forth genuine effort to limit harm you might cause – even if you haven't read the document – you'll be okay!