RISC Vs CISC

• What are the two types of processors?

  RISC and CISC
• What does RISC stand for?

  Reduced Instruction Set Computer
• What does CISC stand for?

  Complex Instruction Set Computer
• How does the instruction set of RISC compare to CISC?

  RISC has a smaller instruction set
• How many clock cycles does each RISC instruction take to execute?

  One clock cycle
• Why is RISC more suitable for pipelining?

  Each instruction takes one clock cycle
• What is a drawback of RISC compilers?

  They are more complicated
• In which devices is RISC usually used?

  Smartphones and tablets
• What characterizes CISC processors?

  They have a larger instruction set
• How many clock cycles can CISC instructions take to execute?

  More than one clock cycle
• What is a feature of CISC regarding memory usage?

  Instructions take up less space in memory
• In which devices is CISC usually used?

  Laptops and desktop computers
• What are the key 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 compilers are more complicated; CISC compilers are less complicated
  • 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 is a limitation of programs written for RISC processors?

  They won't work on CISC processors
• Can a program written for one RISC processor work on another RISC processor?

  Not necessarily, due to different instruction sets
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of RISC and CISC processors?

  Benefits of RISC:

  • Requires less power
  • Costs less to manufacture

  
  

  Drawbacks of RISC:

  • Takes up more space in memory

  
  

  Benefits of CISC:

  • Takes up less space in memory

  
  

  Drawbacks of CISC:

  • Requires more power
  • Costs more to manufacture