Power & Machines Department

Third Year, 2nd Semester

Micro Processor

Aswan University Faculty of Engineering

CISC vs. RISC

Abdallah Mustafa Abdelhamed

Supervisor, Eng / Reda Badry

 Power & Machines Department
Third Year, 2nd Semester
Micro Processor

Aswan University Faculty of Engineering

Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
What is RISC? ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Advantages of RISC: ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Disadvantages of RISC: ........................................................................................................................................ 5
What is CISC? ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Advantages of CISC: ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Disadvantages of CISC: ........................................................................................................................................ 6
RISC vs CISC: A Comparison ................................................................................................................................. 6
Conclusion: .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
 Power & Machines Department
Third Year, 2nd Semester
Micro Processor

Aswan University Faculty of Engineering

Introduction
The history of computer architecture has been marked by two distinct design philosophies - Reduced
Instruction Set Computing (RISC) and Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC). The debate between
these two architectures has been ongoing since the 1980s, and it remains relevant today as we
continue to push the boundaries of computing power and efficiency. In this article, we will explore the
differences between RISC and CISC, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and examples of
their implementation.

What is RISC?
Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) is a computer architecture that emphasizes a simple and
efficient instruction set. RISC processors have a smaller instruction set than CISC processors, with each
instruction performing a single operation. The goal of RISC architecture is to reduce the amount of work
the processor needs to do for each instruction, which leads to faster and more efficient processing.RISC
processors often use pipe-lining to achieve greater performance. Pipe-lining involves breaking down
the execution of an instruction into smaller stages, so multiple instructions can be executed
simultaneously. This reduces the overall execution time for a program, as each stage of the pipeline can
be devoted to a different instruction.
 Power & Machines Department
Third Year, 2nd Semester
Micro Processor

Aswan University Faculty of Engineering

Example: RISC processors include the ARM, MIPS, and PowerPC architectures. The ARM architecture
is used in many smartphones and tablets, while the MIPS architecture is commonly used in embedded
systems such as routers and set-top boxes. The PowerPC architecture was used in Apple's Power
Macintosh computers before they switched to Intel processors.

Advantages of RISC:
• Simplified instruction set leads to faster processing
• Pipe-lining can increase performance
• Lower power consumption
 Power & Machines Department
Third Year, 2nd Semester
Micro Processor

Aswan University Faculty of Engineering

Disadvantages of RISC:
• Programs may require more instructions to complete a task than with CISC
• Limited ability to perform complex instructions

What is CISC?
Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) is a computer architecture that emphasizes a large and
complex instruction set. CISC processors have many instructions that can perform multiple operations in
a single instruction. The goal of CISC architecture is to reduce the number of instructions a program
needs to execute, which can lead to faster program execution , CISC processors typically have more
extensive hardware support for performing complex instructions. This allows for more sophisticated
operations to be performed in a single instruction, which can lead to faster program execution. However,
the increased complexity can also lead to slower processing times.
 Power & Machines Department
Third Year, 2nd Semester
Micro Processor

Aswan University Faculty of Engineering

Example: CISC processors include the x86 architecture used in most desktop and laptop computers
today. The x86 architecture includes instructions that can perform complex tasks such as string
manipulation, as well as instructions that can access and modify system memory directly.

Advantages of CISC:
• Ability to perform complex instructions
• Programs require fewer instructions to execute
• Greater hardware support for performing complex instructions

Disadvantages of CISC:
• Increased complexity can lead to slower processing times
• Larger chip size can lead to increased costs

RISC vs CISC: A Comparison

While both RISC and CISC have their advantages and disadvantages, the choice between them
ultimately depends on the application. RISC is ideal for applications that require fast and efficient
processing, such as mobile devices and embedded systems. CISC is better suited for applications that
require complex operations, such as video and image processing.

Another factor to consider is the trend towards hybrid architectures, which combine the benefits of RISC
and CISC. These architectures use RISC-like designs for the CPU core but incorporate CISC-like
features to support complex instructions. Examples of hybrid architectures include Intel's x86-64
architecture and ARM's Cortex-A series.
 Power & Machines Department
Third Year, 2nd Semester
Micro Processor

Aswan University Faculty of Engineering

Conclusion:
In conclusion, RISC and CISC architectures are two major instruction set architectures used in modern
processors. RISC architectures have a simpler instruction set and are ideal for mobile devices and other
applications where space is limited. CISC architectures have a more complex instruction set and are
more versatile, but can be more difficult to optimize for performance. Understanding the differences
between RISC and CISC architectures is important for anyone interested in computer architecture.