• Types Of Processor Flashcards
What are contemporary processor architectures?
• CPU chips which incorporate aspects of both von Neumann and Harvard architecture
What are some features of contemporary processor architectures?
- One main memory for holding both data and instructions
* CPU cache memory is divided into an instruction cache and a data cache.
Where are features of von neumann present in contemporary processor architecture?
• One main memory for holding both data and instructions
Where are features of Harvard architecture present in contemporary processor architecture?
- Harvard architecture is used where the CPU accesses the cache, instructions and data are retrieved using Harvard architecture
- Cache memory is divided into an instruction cache and a data cache
What does RISC stand for?
Reduced instruction set computers
How does RISC work?
• A minimum number of very simple instructions, each taking one clock cycle, are used to accomplish all the required operations in multiple general purpose registers.
What does CISC stand for?
Complex Instruction Set Computers
How does CISC work?
- A large instruction set is used to accomplish tasks in as few lines of assembly language as possible.
- Processor hardware is capable of understanding and executing the series of sub tasks that make up a single instruction.
- Complex instructions are built into the machine’s hardware.
What are some advantages of CISC?
- Quicker to code programs
- Compiler has very little work to do to translate a high level language statement into machine code.
- Because code is relatively short very little RAM is required to store the instructions
What are some advantages of RISC?
- Hardware is simpler to build with fewer circuits needed for carrying out complex instructions.
- Because each instruction takes the same amount of time, pipelining is possible.
- RAM is cheap, RISC use of RAM and software allows better performance processors at a lower cost.
What are some disadvantages of RISC?
- Compiler has to more work to translate high level code into machine code.
- More RAM is required to store the machine code instructions.
What are some disadvantages of CISC?
• Many specialised instructions have to be be built into the hardware, whilst only around 20% will be used in the average program.
How do multi-core processors benefit the user?
- Multi core processors can distribute workload across multiple processor cores.
- This results in achieving a higher performance due to performing several tasks in parallel.
- These systems are known as parallel systems.
What is a disadvantage to parallel systems?
- Software has to be written to take advantage of multiple cores.
- Maximising usage of the computing resources provided by parallel systems requires adjustments to both the operating system and to existing application software.
What is a co processor?
An extra processor used to supplement the functions of the primary processor.
