Cisc and risc

Question 1

What is an instruction set?

Answer 1

the list of single commands that the processor recognises

Question 2

What does CISC stand for?

Answer 2

Complex Instruction Set Computer

Question 3

CISC processors

Answer 3

CISC instruction sets many defined intructions that may require more than one step to complete
e.g one CISC command may load two values calculate the sum then store the output in memory
as a result CISC processors may require more than one clock cycle to execute an instruction
‘Big’ computers
e.g desktops, laptops, servers

Question 4

CISC advantages

Answer 4

fewer lines of machine code required
more effective use of RAM

Question 5

CISC disadvantages

Answer 5

pipelining is much more implement
more complicated hardware required
less power efficient
more difficult to manufacture
more expensive to produce

Question 6

What does RISC stand for?

Answer 6

Reduced Instruction Set Computer

Question 7

RISC processors

Answer 7

RISC instruction sets contain fewer predefined instructions that generally require one step to complete
‘small’ computers
e.g. phones, embedded systems

Question 8

RISC afdvantages

Answer 8

circuitry is simpler
smaller physical components
cheaper
more power efficient

Question 9

RISC disadvantages

Answer 9

use more RAM

Question 10

can cause bottleneck