Types of Processors

• Types of processors:

  • Single-core Processors: have one core within the CPU to perform tasks
  • Dual-core Processors: contain two cores in the same CPU, allowing for parallel processing
  • Quad-core Processors: contain four cores, enabling four tasks to be performed simultaneously
  • Multi-core Processors: may contain six, eight, or more cores, beneficial for heavy graphical work and running multiple virtual machines
• Clock speed: refers to the speed at which a CPU can perform instructions, measured in cycles per second or hertz
• CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer): CPUs that use single instructions to execute multiple low-level operations like memory storage and arithmetic operations
• RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer): CPU architecture using simpler instructions for routine functions, leading to higher performance
• Parallel Systems: involve the simultaneous use of more than one CPU or processor core to execute programme instructions, classified into bit-level, instruction-level, data, and task parallelism
• Pipelining: a design method to increase CPU performance by allowing the next instructions to start before the previous instruction has completed
• Co-processors: work alongside the main CPU, taking over specific tasks like mathematical calculations or graphics rendering
• ARM processors: based on a RISC architecture, commonly used in mobile devices due to their power efficiency