1.1.2 - Types of processors

• CISC


  Multiple machine cycles per instruction

  Has more complex hardware

  Used in laptops and desktop computers

  Larger in size - more demand for silicon = more expensive

  Greater energy consumption

  More intensive tasks executed by architecture

  Various ways of addressing memory
• RISC


  Single machine cycle per instruction

  Simpler hardware

  Used in smartphones and tablets

  Smaller in size - less demand in silicon = less expensive

  Less energy consumption

  Runs at lower clock speed - performs simpler tasks more quickly

  Fewer ways to address memory
• GPU


  Graphics Processing Unit

  Handles with calculations associated with graphics

  Can perform calculations fast so that images render in real time

  GPUs contain instruction sets specific for these calculations

  Handles with floating point values, matrices, vectors and multiple data at the same time
• Multicore processor


  A processor consisting of multiple processing units
• Supercomputers


  Computer consisting of many processors

  Able to work parallel to each other

  These computers are often use to break certain encryption or other code
• parallel processing


  This can be achieved through multiple processors in the same computer or distributed across multiple cores in a CPU or GPU