SLR2- Types of Processor Flashcards
1
Q
What is an Instruction Set?
A
- A set of all instructions written in machine code that can be recognised an executed by a given processor unit / CPU
2
Q
What does CISC stand for?
A
- Complex Instruction Set Computer
3
Q
What does RISC stand for?
A
- Reduced Instruction Set Computer
4
Q
What is CISC?
A
- A type of processor that aims to complete a task in as few lines as possible.
- Hardware and circuitry must be more complex so that it can execute a series of operations.
- Compiler has to do very little work to translate the high level language statement into assembly.
- Complex instructions may take more than one machine/clock cycle to execute.
5
Q
Where is CISC found?
A
- Mainly found in desktop computers and laptops.
- Intel’s x86 processors still use CISC, although recent changes mean that they operate in a RISC fashion.
6
Q
What is RISC?
A
- A type of processor that aims to use simple instructions that will be executed within a single machine/clock cycle.
- Multiple lines of assembly rather than just one.
- Compiler has to do more conversion work.
- More RAM is needed to store the assembly instructions.
- Process seems less efficient.
- Less complex hardware, leaving more room for general purpose registers and cache.
- All instructions are uniform, pipelining is possible.
- Low energy requirements.
7
Q
Where is RISC found?
A
- Low power portable devices such as smart TV’s and smartwatches.
- ARM and other architectures that work off RISC now make up over 90% of the processors in use today.
8
Q
What is a Co-processor?
A
- Any additional processor used for a specialized task.
9
Q
What is the purpose of a Co-processor?
A
- Improve the overall speed of the computer by executing concurrently with the main CPU.
10
Q
Key features of a GPU?
A
- Thousands of stream processors.
- Typically run slower than a standard CPU core.
- Highly specialized.
- Superior in speed and efficiency but only in certain tasks.
11
Q
Why are GPU’s so good for rendering graphics?
A
- Better for simple operations on large data sets.
- SIMD (can take full advantage of parallel processing.
12
Q
List 3 examples of computing tasks performed on GPU’s.
A
- Oil exploration
- Weather modelling
- Machine learning
- Linear algebra
- Statistical analysis
- Stock option predictions
- Gravitational field theory
13
Q
Define “Multicore Processor”.
A
- Single chip containing two or more independent processing units.
14
Q
What does CMP stand for?
A
- Chip Mutiprocessor
15
Q
What enhances the performance of multicore processors?
A
- On-chip shared cache
- Inter-core communication
