1.2 Flashcards
What is the instruction set?
Set of all instructions written in machine code that can be recognised by a given processor
CISC and RISC are types of
Instruction set
What does CISC stand for
Complex instruction set computer
What does RISC stand for
Reduced instruction set computer
What does CISC do
Aims to complete the task in as little lines of assembly code as possible
CISC properties
Processor hardware has to be more complicated so it can execute a series of operations, physically larger
Compiler has to do less work to translate high level languages
Complex instructions can take more than one clock cycle to complete
Higher energy requirements
Larger number of instructions
Can’t do pipelining
Small code size
More efficient use of RAM
Multiple addressing modes available
What are CISC instructions like
Multiple operations done in one instruction
Where is CISC archetecture found?
Desktop computers, laptops
What are RISC instructions like
Simple instructions executed in one clock cycle.
Many simple instructions done to do one process
RISC properties
Compiler has to do more conversion so is worked more
Instruction completed in single clock cycle
Less complex hardware needed so more space for registers and cache
Makes use of pipelining
Lower energy requirements
Smaller number of simple instructions
Lower energy requirements
Lower cyclers per second
Heavy use of Ram
Fewer addressing nodes available
What is RISC architecture used in
Low power portable device
Phones, printers, smart TV
What is a co-processor
Any additional processor used for a specicalised task
GPUs initial use
Rendering graphics
CPU or GPU TYPICALLY run faster
CPU
Which of CPU and GPU is for specific tasks
GPU
What do CPUs excel at and same for GPU
CPU- Excel at performing complex operations on small data sets
GPU- Excel simple operations on large data sets
They can still do vise versa
Why are GPUs good at doing SIMD
Take advantage of parallel processing which GPUs are made for
Example of non gaming uses for GPU
Oil exploration
Weather modelling
Machine learning
Linear algebra
Statistical analysis
Stock option predictions
Gravitational field theory
What is a multicore processor
A single chip containing two or more independent processing units
How to enhance performance of multi-core processors
On-chip shared cache
Inter-core communication
Limitations of multi core processing
Overheads involved with inter-core processing
Some programs cant make maximum use of all of the cores
What is parallel processing
The processing of program instructions by dividing them between multiple processors or multiple cores
How does parallel processing work
Different cores are assigned to different parts of the F-D-E cycle
Or a single job can be split into task being executed on separate cores
Limitations of parallel processing
Depends on task carried out
If the software can be designed to make use of parallel processing
