Types of Microprocessors
Microprocessors can be
classified based on the following criteria:
• The width of data that can be processed
• The instruction set
Depending on the data
width, microprocessors can process instructions. The microprocessors can be
classified as follows:
• 8-bit microprocessor
• 16-bit microprocessor
• 32-bit microprocessor
• 64-bit microprocessor
The size of the instruction set is
another important consideration while categorizing microprocessors. Initially,
microprocessors had very small instruction sets because complex hardware was expensive
as well as difficult to build. As technology had developed to overcome these
issues, more and more complex instructions were added to increase the
functionality of microprocessors. Let us learn more about the two types of
microprocessors based on their instruction sets.
RISC stands for Reduced Instruction
Set Computers. They have a small set of highly
optimized instructions.
Complex instructions
are also implemented using simple instructions, thus reducing the size of the
instruction set.
Examples of RISC
processors are Pentium IV, Intel P6, AMD K6 and K7.
CISC stands for Complex Instruction
Set Computers. They support hundreds of
instructions. Computers supporting CISC can accomplish a wide variety of tasks,
making them ideal for personal computers.
Examples of CISC
processors are Intel 386 & 486, Pentium, Pentium II and III, and Motorola
68000.
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