1.1.2 types of processor Flashcards
cisc / risc, gpu, multicore and parallel systems (on 1.1.1)
what does risc stand for?
reduced instruction set computer
what does cisc stand for?
complex instruction set computer
what are risc processors used in?
modern smartphones, tablets and SUPERCOMPUTERS?!
what are cisc processors used in?
desktop and laptop computers
what is the main characteristic of risc?
their instruction set consists of simple commands which are designed to take the same time to execute
what would be easier with risc - a low level program or simpler instruction design?
a simpler instruction makes pipelining easier to implement which increases the performance. a low level programs are longer and take up more memory.
how long would it take to execute an instruction with risc?
one clock cycle
risc requires less circuity. how does this create more advantages for risc?
theyre cheaper to design and produce, give off less heat and consume less power than cisc
what is the main characteristic of cisc?
they carry out a number of low level operations as a part of a single instruction
what would be easier with cisc - a low level program or a simpler instruction design?
low level programs take up less space in main memory and are easier to translate into machine code
is it easier to apply pipelining with cisc or risc?
risc
what features of processors do today’s desktop computers and mini computers use?
both cisc and risc to make the most of advantages of each
what are the disadvantages of using features of both cisc and risc and how is the problem worked around?
it increases the design complexity, and therefore the processors generate more heat - therefore such processors are most suitable for larger devices with space for efficient cooling features
why are risc processors used in the devices that they are?
lower power requirements of risc makes them far more suitable for battery powered devices
why is risc in supercomputers?!
theres a demand for high speed parallel processing
