KEMBAR78
RISC Vs CISC Differences | PDF | Computer Engineering | Computing
Scribd
Upload
6 views2 pages

RISC Vs CISC Differences

RISC architecture emphasizes a small set of simple instructions for faster execution and efficiency, making it ideal for performance-critical applications. In contrast, CISC architecture utilizes a larger set of complex instructions to reduce program size, but this increases hardware complexity and can hinder pipelining efficiency. Overall, RISC is simpler and more efficient, while CISC offers more functionality per instruction at the cost of increased complexity.

Uploaded by

jlu08082
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views2 pages

RISC Vs CISC Differences

RISC architecture emphasizes a small set of simple instructions for faster execution and efficiency, making it ideal for performance-critical applications. In contrast, CISC architecture utilizes a larger set of complex instructions to reduce program size, but this increases hardware complexity and can hinder pipelining efficiency. Overall, RISC is simpler and more efficient, while CISC offers more functionality per instruction at the cost of increased complexity.

Uploaded by

jlu08082
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Here's a clear comparison and contrast of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) and

CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architectures based on instruction set design,
execution speed, and hardware complexity:

1. Instruction Set Design


Aspect RISC CISC
Uses a small set of simple
Philosophy Uses a large set of complex instructions
instructions
Instruction Typically fixed-length (e.g., 32
Variable-length instructions
Length bits)
Operations per Each instruction performs a A single instruction can perform multiple
Instruction simple operation operations (e.g., load, compute, and store)
Only specific instructions Many instructions can directly access
Memory Access
(e.g., load/store) access memory
memory
Instruction Requires more instructions to
Fewer instructions per task
Count accomplish a task

2. Execution Speed
Aspect RISC CISC
Execution Time per Typically one clock cycle (due Can take multiple clock cycles (due to
Instruction to simplicity) complexity)
Pipelining High – due to uniform Lower – variable instruction sizes
Efficiency instruction length and complicate pipelining
simplicity
Often faster for modern,
Overall Can be slower per instruction, but
optimized compilers and
Performance fewer instructions may balance it out
workloads
Compiler Highly reliant on optimizing
Less reliant on compiler optimization
Dependence compilers

Hardware Complexity
Aspect RISC CISC
Uses hardwired control Often uses microprogramming (more
Control Unit
(simpler, faster) flexible, but complex)
Aspect RISC CISC
Instruction
Simple and fast Complex decoding logic required
Decoding
More space available for More transistors devoted to instruction
Transistor Usage
registers and parallel execution decoding and control logic
Design and More complex design and debugging
Easier to design, test, and scale
Maintenance effort

Summary
• RISC prioritizes simplicity, speed, and efficiency, making it well-suited for
performance-critical applications and parallel processing.
• CISC aims to do more with each instruction, reducing program size but increasing
hardware complexity and reducing pipelining efficiency.

You might also like