Recently, Microsoft released two new performance-enhancing features for Windows 11 as well as for Servers. First, the tech giant announced that a new native feature for NVMe SSDs was now available which could boost throughput by nearly 80% in some cases. Second, hardware-accelerated BitLocker is also set to give a big edge in performance over the current implementation by significantly reducing processor bottlenecking.
Speaking of processors, one of the ways Windows, both 10 and 11, is optimized to extract the best possible performance out of CPU cycles is by efficient workload scheduling. Windows, in tandem with hardware drivers (like AMD"s chipset driver for example), works to schedule and send tasks and workloads in order to maximize the productivity and efficiency of a chip. Basically, resources like the processors" cores and threads, as well as the cache, is optimally used for the best load balancing.
A great example of that is how AMD"s Ryzen X3D processors work on Windows 11 as the OS is able to intelligently assign workloads on the correct CCD. As mentioned previously, the chipset driver package also helps thanks to the specialized 3D V-cache Optimzer; and there are unofficial tweaks too that could further aid.
One of the techniques for caching-related OS task scheduling is called "Cache Aware Scheduling" and as the name suggests, the idea behind this method is for the scheduler to be aware of the cache layout and real-time usage/load on a particular CPU. The end goal is essentially to maximize cache hits and minimize cache misses and bounces.
Recent Linux kernel patches have confirmed that the OS is getting the feature soon. The patch notes mention that in certain tasks there are massive improvements to be had, notably by up to 44% in some cases. It also adds that the patch, for now, will be applied to the primary LLC or last level cache of the CPU only, which is typically the Level 3 (L3) cache on processors, as secondary LLC like the system memory or RAM, does not seem to yield additional benefits.
Interestingly, Microsoft has had Cache Aware Scheduling (or CAS in short) for a while on Windows as the feature has been present as part of the Windows kernel since Windows 10, and has subsequently made it into Windows 11 as well. Unfortunately, details about it are scarce.
Via: LWN