1.1.2 Types of processor Flashcards
(a) The differences between and uses of CISC and RISC processors. (b) GPUs and their uses (including those not related to graphics). (c) Multicore and Parallel systems.
What does CISC stand for?
Complex instruction set computers.
What does RISC stand for?
Reduced instruction set computers.
What is CISC?
Using a large instruction set, CISC sets out to accomplish tasks in a few lines of assembly language as possible.
What is RISC?
Using only simple instructions that take a single clock cycle to execute, RISC can use pipelining to increase speed.
Which has the smaller instruction set? RISC or CISC?
RISC has a smaller instruction set.
Why might a RISC processor require less power as opposed to a CISC processor?
RISC has less complex circuitry and thus uses fewer transistors which means it requires less power.
What is one advantage of a RISC processor?
Since instructions all take a single clock cycle to complete pipelining can be implemented to increase speed.
What is one advantage of a CISC processor?
Since the code is relatively short, only a small amount of ram is required to store the instructions.
Define a coprocessor.
An extra processor used to supplement the functions of the primary processor.
Define the GPU.
A specialised electronic circuit which is very efficient in manipulating computer graphics and image processing.
What is one use for a GPU?
To render models.
What is the architecture of a GPU like?
a GPU has a massively parallel architecture consisting of thousands of smaller efficient cores designed to handle multiple tasks at once.
What is a GPU well suited to?
Processing large blocks of visual data simultaneously.
What are some non-graphics related uses for a GPU?
Machine learning, oil exploration and financial transactions.
How might multiple cores improve performance?
Each core acts as a separate processing unit so distributing a workload over multiple cores achieve significantly higher performance as opposed to a single core.
