Reduced Instruction Set Computer Essay

Catholic University of Zimbabwe

Polite Mashoko R161678B

Programme: BBM and IT
Title of Assignment: Compare and contrast reduced instruction set computer (RISC) with the complex instruction set computer (CISC) Subject: Computer Architecture IT103

Assignment No: 1

Lecturer: S NDLOVU

Due date: 14-11-2016

Lecturer’s Comments:
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The CISC was invented before RISC and some of its limitations led to the invention of RISC architecture. However, the invention of RISC did not lead to the disappearance of CISC since RISC also has its flaw.
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) is used in portable devices due to its power efficiency such as, Apple iPod. RISC is a type of microprocessor architecture that uses highly-optimized set of instructions.
The term CISC means ‘Complex Instruction Set Computer’. CISC is a CPU design strategy based on single instructions, which are efficient of per CISC computers have shorted programs. It has a large number of complex instructions, which takes long time to put into effect.
Therefore, RISC and CISC architectures will be compared and contrasted using many different basis which are explained below.
The control unit
The firmness of the RISC architecture over the CISC is a function of the method of control unit application. There are two methods of implementing the control unit, which are:
· Microprogrammed control unit and
· Hardwired control