Assignment 2

Classification of Modern Devices into RISC and CISC.

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RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) Devices

RISC architecture aims to simplify the instruction set by limiting the number of instructions and
concentrating on basic instructions that are optimized for execution in a single clock cycle. The
implication is that high performance is achieved at low power with good scalability for certain classes
of devices.

1. Smartphones

• Processor: ARM-based processors (e.g., Apple A-series, Qualcomm Snapdragon, Samsung Exynos).

• Why are they RISC: Smartphones need processors that maximize performance without sacrificing
power efficiency. RISC, being the architecture in question, is designed for low power consumption
without compromising processing power required for mobile applications, games, and multimedia
tasks. This super-low power efficiency is what suits RISC as far as a smartphone is concerned.

• Examples:

o Apple iPhone: Apple A-series chips (e.g., A14, A15, M1) implement the ARM RISC architecture.

o Android Phones: Snapdragon processors by Qualcomm that follow ARM's RISC design.

o Samsung Galaxy: Exynos processors that employ the ARM RISC architecture.

• Key Features:

o ARM processors contain multiple cores (performance and efficiency cores) for performance and
power consumption management.

o With consistent high-performance levels, these processors use minimal energy in maintaining a
smartphone's battery life.

2. Tablets

• Processor: ARM-based processors, like in smartphone tablets.

• Why RISC: Just like smartphones, tablets are required to perform power-efficient and highly
performing tasks like browsing, gaming, and multimedia. ARM traces its power-efficient processors
capable of handling all this with minimum power upkeep.

• Examples:

o iPad (Apple A-series): Apple models of iPad use ARM-based chips (like the A12, A14, and M1) for
processing.

o Android Tablets: Use Qualcomm Snapdragon (ARM-based), MediaTek processors, or Samsung

• Key Features:

o High energy efficiency and multi-core processors for smooth multitasking.

o Optimized for mobile use cases to deliver long battery life.

3. Wearables

• Processor: ARM-based processors for low power consumption.

• Why RISC: Wearables like smartwatches and fitness trackers should run on batteries that are small
and energy-efficient. For these reasons, ARM's low-power architecture is best suited. ARM
processors are optimized to run low-power tasks like tracking health metrics, running basic apps, and
communicating with a smartphone.

• Examples:

o Apple Watch: Uses Apple's custom S-series ARM-based chips (e.g., S6, S7).

o Samsung Galaxy Watch: Exynos processors (ARM-based).

o Fitbit: ARM-based processors for tracking fitness and health data.

• Key Features:

o Focus on power efficiency with limited computational needs (basic displays, sensors).

o Highly optimized for wearable devices with long battery life.

4. Embedded Systems

• Processors: ARM, MIPS, or RISC-based processor.

• Why RISC: Embedded systems require efficient and cheap processors. RISC-based processors allow
compact designs in terms of power consumption and fast execution. This becomes very important
for embedded applications such as IoT (Internet of Things), industrial controls, automotive systems,
etc.

• Examples:

o Raspberry Pi: Describes ARM Cortex-based processors.

o Automotive ECUs (Electronic Control Units): ARM processors, and in some cases MIPS, for
managing systems such as engine control, sensors, and infotainment.

o Home Appliances: IoT appliances such as smart thermostats, refrigerators, and others powered by
RISC chips.

• Key Features:

o Efficient use of energy, especially important for devices that may run continuously.

o Simple control of peripherals due to a small instruction set.

o Cost-effective for the manufacturers.

5. Gaming Consoles (Portable)

• Processor: ARM-based processors.

• Why RISC: Portable gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch use ARM-based processors mainly due to
energy efficiency and compact designs. ARM architecture helps maximize battery life while providing
adequate graphics processing power for gaming.
 Assignment 2

• Examples:

o Nintendo Switch: Uses an ARM-based NVIDIA Tegra X1 chip.

• Key Features:

o Power-efficient to sustain hours of gaming on portable batteries.

o Provides solid graphics and multitasking capabilities for gaming on the go.

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CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) Devices

CISC processors are endowed with a complex instruction set where the wider variety of instructions
can perform multiple tasks in one operation. Such a quality is found extremely useful in devices that
need to perform discrete computing tasks as well as casual compatibility with legacy software.

1. Desktop PCs and Laptops

• Processor: Intel x86 architecture (CISC) and AMD x86 architecture (CISC).

• Why CISC: Desktops and laptops require high performance to run complex software such as
operating systems, office suites, games, and more. The x86 architecture supports complex
instructions and allows processors to handle multi-step operations in a single instruction, providing
strong performance for a wide variety of tasks. Also, the CISC is vital in compatibility, mainly for
legacy applications.

• Examples:

o Intel Core processors (e.g., i5, i7, i9), AMD Ryzen processors.

o Apple MacBooks (Pre-2020) used Intel's x86 processors before transitioning to ARM-based Apple
Silicon.

• Key Features:

o High performance with the ability to execute complex instructions in a few cycles.

o Backward compatibility with legacy software and operating systems.

o Great for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

2. Server and Data Center

• Processor: Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC processors (CISC).

• Why CISC: It is the processing power at the server level to run concurrent tasks and workloads,
whereby these could take the form of databases, web servers, or running instances of virtual
machines. Many server-grade processors based on x86-64 architecture (a CISC extension), which is
advantageous due to support of complex operations, multiple cores, and scalability.