1.2 Types of Processor

• What are the two types of processors?

  CISC and RISC
• What does CISC stand for?

  Complex Instruction Set Computer
• What does RISC stand for?

  Reduced Instruction Set Computer
• How does the instruction set of a CISC processor compare to a RISC processor?

  CISC has a larger instruction set
• What is a characteristic of RISC processors regarding instruction execution?

  Each instruction takes one clock cycle
• How many clock cycles can CISC instructions take to execute?

  More than one clock cycle
• Where are CISC processors typically used?

  In laptops and desktop computers
• Where are RISC processors typically used?

  In smartphones and tablets
• What are the main differences between RISC and CISC processors?

  • RISC has fewer transistors; CISC has more
  • RISC takes one clock cycle per instruction; CISC takes multiple
  • RISC is suited to pipelining; CISC is not
  • RISC has fewer general purpose registers; CISC has more
  • RISC is used in smartphones; CISC is used in desktops
  • RISC has fewer addressing modes; CISC has more
• What happens if a program written for a RISC processor is run on a CISC processor?

  It won't work
• What is a GPU responsible for?

  Processing graphics within the computer
• How do CPUs and GPUs differ in their design purpose?

  CPUs are general purpose; GPUs are specific for graphics
• What is one advantage of using a GPU for graphics processing?

  It reduces the load on the CPU
• What is one capability of GPUs in terms of data processing?

  They can perform instructions on multiple data simultaneously
• What is one use of GPUs besides graphics processing?

  3D modelling
• How can GPUs be used in financial modelling?

  To simulate different scenarios in risk modelling
• What is data mining?

  Analyzing large amounts of data to find patterns
• What type of calculations can GPUs perform in numerical simulations?

  Matrix multiplication and inversion
• How do GPUs assist in machine learning?

  By training on massive amounts of data
• What is SIMD processing?

  Single Instruction Multiple Data processing
• Why are GPUs beneficial for parallel processing?

  They can handle many tasks simultaneously
• What is one limitation of parallel processing?

  There is a limit to maximum speed improvement
• What is a benefit of multicore processors for multitasking?

  Each core can work on a different task
• How do multicore processors improve responsiveness?

  Other cores continue running tasks if one is unresponsive
• What are the benefits and limitations of multicore and parallel processors?

  Benefits:

  • Speed: Reduces execution time for divisible tasks
  • Improved performance: Simultaneous computation on different data
  • Better resource utilization: More effective use of processors

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Maximum speed limit: Not all tasks can be parallelized
  • Complex programming: Harder to write parallel code
  • Debugging difficulty: More challenging to debug parallel programs
• What is the main function of a GPU?

  Processing graphics
• What is one task that GPUs are not suited for?

  Serial processing tasks
• What is one benefit of using a GPU for calculations?

  More energy efficient for parallel tasks
• What is the role of the CPU in relation to the GPU?

  Assigns tasks to the GPU
• What is one application of GPUs in simulations?

  Physics and engineering simulations
• What is one characteristic of multicore systems?

  More than one processing unit
• What is one advantage of parallel processing in real-time applications?

  More feasible for graphics rendering
• What is one drawback of parallel processing?

  Communication between processors can be slow
• What is one benefit of using multicore processors for background tasks?

  Reduces impact on other tasks