1.1.2 Flashcards
What are 4 features of CISC?
- Instruction set is made up of a large number of complex, variable-length instructions
- This means the processor hardware has to be more complex so it can understand and execute a series of operations.
- Meaning the compiler has to do less work to translate high level language to assembly
- Takes multiple clock cycles per instruction
What are 3 features of RISC?
- Instruction set is made up of a small number of simple, fixed-length instructions
- Each instruction taking one clock cycle
- Meaning the compiler has to do more work translating high level language to machine code
Where is CISC architecture mainly found?
Laptops and desktop computers
What is a co-processor?
An additional processor used to supplement the functions of the CPU.
It’s purpose it to improve the overall speed of the computer by executing concurrently with the main CPU
What are multi-core systems?
Systems where there are multiple cores that complete separate fetch-execute cycles of separate instructions.
What is a GPU?
A device which is a type of co-processor that has lots of independent processors which work in parallel making it very efficient at completing repetitive tasks such as image processing and machine learning.
What are the benefits of RISC processors?
Pipelining is possible since each instruction takes one clock cycle.
What are the benefits of CISC processors?
- Compilers have to do less work
- They require less RAM since instructions are smaller
What are parallel systems?
Systems where multiple instructions can be completed at any given time, doesn’t require multiple cores, it can use threading and pipelining instead.
Where are RISC processors used?
Modern smartphones and tablets
How does clock speed affect the computers performance?
The greater the clock speed, the faster instructions are carried out.
Making a processor perform more instructions per second than it is recommended to (overclocking), could cause the processor to overheat.
How does the number of cores affect computer performance?
The more cores a computer has, the more instructions it can execute at the same time. As a result, the computer will perform more efficiently
How does the amount and speed and level of Cache affect computer performance?
The larger the cache, the more instructions can be queued and carried out.
The faster the cache, the faster an instruction is fetched to the processor.
The greater the number of cache levels, the more efficient the system.
How does pipelining affect processor performance?
It avoids keeping internal components idle and means instructions are executed at a faster rate, which in turn improves processor performance.
Are multi-core systems or parallel systems better in larger projects?
Multi-core systems
What is random access memory (RAM)?
A form of primary memory used to hold data and/or programs in use. Which is volatile.
State one characteristic a high performance CPU might have?
- Multiple Cores
- High/Fast Clock Speed
- Ability to use pipelining
- Large Cache
What is pipelining?
The process of completing the fetch, decode and execute of three separate files simultaneously
What is instruction pipelining?
Separating out the instruction into fetching, decoding and executing.
What is arithmetic pipelining?
Breaking down the arithmetic operations and overlapping them as they are performed.
What type of processing are GPUs best suited for?
Parallel processing
