What are the four mainstream CPU architectures?

Four mainstream CPU architectures: 1. Executed sequentially. 2. ARM architecture is a 32-bit reduced instruction set (RISC) architecture. 3. RISC-V architecture is an open instruction set architecture based on the principle of reduced instruction set computing (RISC). 4. MIPS architecture is a processor architecture that adopts reduced instruction set (RISC) and can support optimized execution of high-level languages.

The operating environment of this tutorial: Windows 7 system, Dell G3 computer.

The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of your smart device. Its job is to turn a blob of plastic and metal into a shiny smartphone or tablet by executing a series of instructions to drive your device, including a display, touch screen, modem, etc.

cpu architecture

CPU architecture is a specification set by CPU manufacturers for CPU products belonging to the same series. The main purpose is to distinguish important indicators of different types of CPUs. Currently, the CPU classification on the market is mainly divided into two camps. One is the complex instruction set CPU led by Intel and AMD, and the other is the reduced instruction set CPU led by IBM and ARM. Two different brands of CPUs have different product architectures. For example, Intel and AMD's CPUs are based on X86 architecture, while IBM's CPUs are based on PowerPC architecture, and ARM's CPUs are based on ARM architecture.

Four major mainstream chip architectures (X86, ARM, RISC, MIPS)

1, X86 architecture

X86 is a computer language instruction set executed by a microprocessor. It refers to the standard number abbreviation of an Intel general-purpose computer series and also identifies a set of general-purpose computer instructions. On June 8, 1978, Intel released the new 16-bit microprocessor 8086, which also ushered in a new era: the X86 architecture was born.

The X86 instruction set was specially developed by Intel Corporation of the United States for its first 16-bit CPU (i8086). The CPU in the world's first PC launched by IBM Corporation of the United States in 1981-i8088 (simplified version of i8086 ) also uses X86 instructions.

Adopts CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer, complex instruction set computer) architecture. Different from using RISC, in the CISC processor, each instruction of the program is executed serially in order, and the operations in each instruction are also executed serially in order. The advantage of sequential execution is simple control, but the utilization rate of various parts of the computer is not high and the execution speed is slow.

With the continuous development of CPU technology, Intel has successively developed newer i80386, i80486 and today’s Pentium 4 series. However, in order to ensure that the computer can continue to run various applications developed in the past to protect and inherit rich software resources, so all CPUs produced by Intel continue to use the X86 instruction set.

2. ARM architecture

ARM is the abbreviation of Advanced RISC Machine. It is a 32-bit reduced instruction set (RISC) architecture. But it is also equipped with a 16-bit instruction set, which generally saves up to 35% compared to equivalent 32-bit code, but can retain all the advantages of 32-bit systems.

It is widely used in many embedded system designs. Due to its energy-saving characteristics, ARM processors are very suitable for mobile communications, in line with its main design goal of low power consumption. Today, the ARM family accounts for 75% of all 32-bit embedded processors, making it one of the most dominant 32-bit architectures in the world. ARM processors can be seen in many consumer electronics products, from portable devices to computer peripherals and even in military facilities such as missile onboard computers.

Small size, low power consumption, low cost, and high performance—the most important reasons why ARM is widely used in embedded systems support Thumb (16-bit)/ARM (32-bit) dual instruction sets, It is well compatible with 8-bit/16-bit devices; a large number of registers are used to execute instructions faster; most data operations are completed in registers; the addressing method is flexible and simple, and the execution efficiency is high; the instruction length is fixed. Load_store structure: In RISC, all calculations are required to be completed in registers. The communication between registers and memory is completed by separate instructions. In CSIC, the CPU can directly operate on the memory. Pipeline processing method

Ps: RISC and CISC

Personal computers are often called X86 architecture computers because current computers use a large number of Intel X86 architecture CPUs. The X86 architecture CPU uses a complex instruction set, while current mobile phone chips use a simplified instruction set. The so-called instruction set is a collection of the smallest units that the processor can perform operations. For example, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are implemented by specific instructions. The complex instruction set (CISC) has many and complex instructions, and the length of each instruction is different. The instruction execution is flexible. A single individual instruction can handle a richer work content, but the problem is that more flexibility makes CISC The utilization rate of processor resources is not high, just like a pentathlon athlete who can run and jump, but has no advantage compared to running athletes. Reduced instruction set (RISC) processors are what we call specialized players, with a relatively streamlined microinstruction set and a single completion action. Therefore, the running time of a single microinstruction is relatively short. To complete relatively complex operations, the number of microinstructions that need to be run increases.

• RISC: Reduced Instruction Set Computer

RISC has a simple structure and selects simple instructions that are frequently used. The length is fixed, mostly a single cycle instruction
has great advantages in terms of power consumption, volume, price and other aspects. It is mostly used in the embedded field

• Cisc: Complex instruction set processor

focuses on the functionality of the hardware execution instructions. The hardware structure of the CISC instruction and processor is complicated.

##3. RISC-V architecture

RISC-V architecture is an open instruction set architecture (ISA) based on the principle of reduced instruction set computing (RISC). RISC-V is a brand-new instruction based on the continuous development and maturity of the instruction set. The RISC-V instruction set is completely open source, with simple design, easy to transplant into Unix systems, modular design, complete tool chain, and a large number of open source implementation and tape-out cases, and has been recognized by many chip companies.

RISC-V architecture started relatively late, but is developing rapidly. It can select an instruction set architecture suitable for the specific scenario. Based on the RISC-V instruction set architecture, server CPUs, home appliance CPUs, industrial control CPUs and CPUs used in sensors smaller than a finger can be designed.

4. MIPS architecture

MIPS architecture (MIPS architecture, the abbreviation of Microprocessor without interlocked piped stages architecture, also a related term of Millions of Instructions Per Second), It is a processor architecture using reduced instruction set (RISC). It appeared in 1981 and was developed and licensed by MIPS Technology Company. It is widely used in many electronic products, network equipment, personal entertainment devices and commercial devices. The earliest MIPS architecture was 32-bit, and the latest version has become 64-bit.

The MIPS architecture is based on a fixed-length regularly encoded instruction set and adopts a Load/Store data model. This architecture has been improved to support optimized execution of high-level languages. Its arithmetic and logical operations take the form of three operands, allowing the compiler to optimize complex expressions.

Today, chips based on this architecture are widely used in many electronic products, network equipment, personal entertainment devices and commercial devices. The earliest MIPS architecture was 32-bit, and the latest version has become 64-bit.

Its basic features are:

Contains a large number of registers, instruction numbers and character-visible pipeline delay slots

• These features make The MIPS architecture delivers the highest performance per square millimeter and the lowest energy consumption in today's SoC designs.

Note:

x86 is the mainstream for PCs and servers, ARM is the mainstream for mobile devices, and RISC-V may be the mainstream in the future. For more related knowledge, please visit the

FAQ

column!

The above is the detailed content of What are the four mainstream CPU architectures?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!