1.1.2 Types of Processor

Question 1

What does RISC stand for?

Answer 1

Reduced Instruction Set Computer

Question 2

What does CISC stand for?

Answer 2

Complex Instruction Set Computer

Question 3

What are the properties of RISC processors?

Answer 3

Small instruction set
Each instruction is one line of machine code
Used in everyday devices

Question 4

What are the properties of CISC processors?

Answer 4

Large instruction set
Instructions are built into hardware
Used in embedded systems and microprocessors

Question 5

What are the advantages of RISC processors?

Answer 5

Simpler instructions
Simpler to decode
Faster Execution
Lower power consumption
Supports pipelining

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of RISC processors?

Answer 6

More instructions required
Increased memory usage
Higher cost (more general-purpose registers)

Question 7

What are the advantages of CISC processors?

Answer 7

Reduce code size
More memory instructions (fewer instructions)
Widely used so larger user base & more available software

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of CISC processor?

Answer 8

Slower execution
More complex design
Higher power consumption

Question 9

What is a graphics processing unit?

Answer 9

A co-processor made up of lots of independent parallel processors

Question 10

What are GPUs used for?

Answer 10

Image processing and machine learning

Question 11

What are multi-core systems?

Answer 11

Systems of multiple cores completing separate FDE cycles

Question 12

What are parallel systems?

Answer 12

Systems in which multiple instructions can be completed simultaneously
Doesn’t require multiple cores, can use threading & pipelining