What is the difference between CPU affinity and CPU priority?

What is the difference between CPU affinity and CPU priority?

CPU affinity refers to the assignment of a specific CPU to a process, while CPU priority determines the order in which processes are scheduled for execution.

How does setting CPU affinity improve performance?

Setting CPU affinity can improve performance by reducing context switching and ensuring that a process runs on the same CPU, which can enhance cache performance.

Can I set CPU priority for specific applications?

Yes, you can set CPU priority for specific applications through the task manager in Windows or using command-line tools in Linux.

Are there any downsides to using CPU affinity?

Yes, over-restricting CPU affinity can lead to underutilization of CPU resources, especially in multi-core systems.

When should I adjust CPU priority?

You should adjust CPU priority when you have critical applications that need more resources or when you want to ensure smoother performance for specific tasks.