Lecture 3.1.

6 (RISC and CISC architectures) CO5

RISC Processor

RISC stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computer Processor, a microprocessor

architecture with a simple collection and highly customized set of instructions. It is built to
minimize the instruction execution time by optimizing and limiting the number of
instructions. It means each instruction cycle requires only one clock cycle, and each cycle
contains three parameters: fetch, decode, and execute. The RISC processor is also used to
perform various complex instructions by combining them into simpler ones. RISC chips
require several transistors, making it cheaper to design and reducing the execution time for
instructions.

Examples of RISC processors are SUN's SPARC, PowerPC, Microchip PIC processors,
RISC-V.

Advantages of a RISC Processor

1. The RISC processor's performance is better due to the simple and limited number of
the instruction set.
2. It requires several transistors, which makes it cheaper to design.
3. RISC allows the instruction to use free space on a microprocessor because of its
simplicity.
4. A RISC processor is simpler than a CISC processor because of its simple and quick
design, and it can complete its work in one clock cycle.

Disadvantages of a RISC Processor

1. The RISC processor's performance may vary according to the code executed because
subsequent instructions may depend on the previous instruction for their execution in
a cycle.
2. Programmers and compilers often use complex instructions.
3. RISC processors require very fast memory to save various instructions that require a
large collection of cache memory to respond to the instruction in a short time.

RISC Architecture

It is a highly customized set of instructions used in portable devices due to system reliability
such as Apple iPod, mobiles/smartphones, Nintendo DS,
Features of a RISC Processor

Some important features of RISC processors are:

1. One cycle execution time: For executing each instruction in a computer, the RISC
processors require one CPI (clock per cycle). And each CPI includes the fetch, decode
and execute method applied in computer instruction.
2. Pipelining technique: The pipelining technique is used in RISC processors to
execute multiple parts or stages of instructions to perform more efficiently.
3. A large number of registers: RISC processors are optimized with multiple registers
that can be used to store instructions, quickly respond to the computer, and minimize
interaction with computer memory.
4. It supports a simple addressing mode and a fixed length of instruction for executing
the pipeline.
5. It uses LOAD and STORE instruction to access the memory location.
6. Simple and limited instructions reduce the execution time of a process in a RISC.

CISC Processor

The CISC stands for Complex Instruction Set Computer, developed by Intel. It has a large
collection of complex instructions that range from simple to very complex and specialized at
the assembly language level, which takes a long time to execute the instructions. So, CISC
approaches reducing the number of instructions on each program and ignoring the number of
cycles per instruction. It emphasizes to build complex instructions directly into the hardware
because hardware is always faster than software. However, CISC chips are relatively slower
as compared to RISC chips but use little instruction than RISC. Examples of CISC processors
are VAX, AMD, Intel x86 and the System/360.
Characteristics of a CISC Processor

Following are the main characteristics of the RISC processor:

1. The length of the code is short, so it requires very little RAM.

2. CISC or complex instructions may take longer than a single clock cycle to execute the
code.
3. Less instruction is needed to write an application.
4. It provides easier programming in assembly language.
5. Support for complex data structures and easy compilation of high-level languages.
6. It is composed of fewer registers and more addressing nodes, typically 5 to 20.
7. Instructions can be larger than a single word.
8. It emphasizes the building of instruction on hardware because it is faster to create than
software.

CISC Processor Architecture

The CISC architecture helps reduce program code by embedding multiple operations on each
program instruction, which makes the CISC processor more complex. The CISC architecture-
based computer is designed to decrease memory costs because large programs or instruction
required large memory space to store the data, thus increasing the memory requirement, and a
large collection of memory increases the memory cost, which makes them more expensive.

Advantages of CISC Processors

1. The compiler requires little effort to translate high-level programs or statement

languages into assembly or machine language in CISC processors.
2. The code length is quite short, which minimizes the memory requirement.
3. To store the instruction on each CISC, it requires very less RAM.
 4. Execution of a single instruction requires several low-level tasks.
5. CISC creates a process to manage power usage that adjusts clock speed and voltage.
6. It uses fewer instructions set to perform the same instruction as the RISC.

Disadvantages of CISC Processors

1. CISC chips are slower than RSIC chips to execute per instruction cycle on each
program.
2. The performance of the machine decreases due to the slowness of the clock speed.
3. Executing the pipeline in the CISC processor makes it complicated to use.
4. The CISC chips require more transistors as compared to RISC design.
5. In CISC it uses only 20% of existing instructions in a programming event.

Difference between the RISC and CISC Processors

RISC CISC
It is a Reduced Instruction Set Computer. It is a Complex Instruction Set
Computer.
It emphasizes on software to optimize the It emphasizes on hardware to optimize
instruction set. the instruction set.
It is a hardwired unit of programming in the Microprogramming unit in CISC
RISC Processor. Processor.
It requires multiple register sets to store the It requires a single register set to store
instruction. the instruction.
RISC has simple decoding of instruction. CISC has complex decoding of
instruction.
Uses of the pipeline are simple in RISC. Uses of the pipeline are difficult in
CISC.
It uses a limited number of instruction that It uses a large number of instruction that
requires less time to execute the instructions. requires more time to execute the
instructions.
It uses LOAD and STORE that are independent It uses LOAD and STORE instruction in
instructions in the register-to-register a the memory-to-memory interaction of a
program's interaction. program.
RISC has more transistors on memory registers. CISC has transistors to store complex
instructions.
The execution time of RISC is very short. The execution time of CISC is longer.
RISC architecture can be used with high-end CISC architecture can be used with low-
applications like telecommunication, image end applications like home automation,
processing, video processing, etc. security system, etc.
It has fixed format instruction. It has variable format instruction.
The program written for RISC architecture Program written for CISC architecture
needs to take more space in memory. tends to take less space in memory.
Example of RISC: ARM, PA-RISC, Power Examples of CISC: VAX, Motorola
Architecture, Alpha, AVR, ARC and the 68000 family, System/360, AMD and
 SPARC. the Intel x86 CPUs.
References
Reference Books:
● J.P. Hayes, “Computer Architecture and Organization”, Third Edition.
● Mano, M., “Computer System Architecture”, Third Edition, Prentice Hall.
● Stallings, W., “Computer Organization and Architecture”, Eighth Edition, Pearson
Education.
Text Books:
● Carpinelli J.D,” Computer systems organization &Architecture”, Fourth Edition,
Addison Wesley.
● Patterson and Hennessy, “Computer Architecture”, Fifth Edition Morgaon Kauffman.

Other References:
 Difference Between RISC and CISC - javatpoint
 Computer Organization | RISC and CISC - GeeksforGeeks
 RISC vs. CISC Architectures: Which one is better? (microcontrollertips.com)

Video Links:
 https://youtu.be/ZW1gb3h-f9k?si=gxthIVPezaeuSurZ
 https://youtu.be/gCn90yffX84?si=VQk6lCmt6q4_M3Mn
 https://youtu.be/wqZYDg_C-sE?si=aCJ1z9TVM0RcTAMR