Cache Associativity

Concept

Cache associativity is a microarchitectural parameter that determines how many ways a given memory address can map to within a cache set, and is commonly exposed as a configurable knob in parameterized processor designs such as RISC-V cores. It is studied in the context of application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs) and hybrid DRAM/NVMM systems, where it is reported alongside other cache design parameters such as cache block size, replacement policy, tag organization, and set index mapping.

First seen 6/21/2026

Last seen 6/21/2026

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Cache Associativity

Definition

Cache associativity describes how many locations (ways) within a single cache set a given memory address is permitted to occupy. A cache of higher associativity can tolerate more aliasing across ways but requires additional tag storage and lookup logic per access.

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Parameterization part of → 90% 1e

Cache associativity is a configurable microarchitectural parameter for a RISC-V core.

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[1] Cache associativity is listed as a configurable microarchitectural knob in a parameterized RISC-V RTL core alongside pipeline depth, branch predictor structures, and bus interfaces. Inside RISC-V: Navigating the RTL Design & Verification Landscape

[2] ASIP cache simulators (SimpleScalar, VEX) report cache associativity along with cache name, sets, cache block size, and cache replacement policy when simulating memory configurations for specific applications. Application Specific Cache Simulation Analysis for Application Specific Instruction set Processor

[3] In DRAM-AEP hybrid memory systems, cache associativity is one of the empirically discovered design parameters of the DRAM cache, alongside tag organization and set index mapping, and these parameters were reported as first published in that paper. System measurement of Intel AEP Optane DIMM