Comparison between RISC and CISC:
RISC CISC
It stands for Reduced It stands for Complex
Acronym
Instruction Set Computer. Instruction Set Computer.
The RISC processors have a The CISC processors have a
Definition smaller set of instructions with larger set of instructions with
few addressing nodes. many addressing nodes.
It has no memory unit and uses It has a memory unit to
Memory unit a separate hardware to implement complex
implement instructions. instructions.
It has a hard-wired unit of It has a micro-programming
Program
programming. unit.
Design It is a complex complier design. It is an easy complier design.
The calculations are faster and The calculations are slow and
Calculations
precise. precise.
Decoding of instructions is Decoding of instructions is
Decoding
simple. complex.
Time Execution time is very less. Execution time is very high.
It does not require external It requires external memory for
External memory
memory for calculations. calculations.
Pipelining does function Pipelining does not function
Pipelining
correctly. correctly.
Stalling is mostly reduced in
Stalling The processors often stall.
processors.
Code expansion can be a Code expansion is not a
Code expansion
problem. problem.
Disc space The space is saved. The space is wasted.
Used in high end applications
Used in low end applications
such as video processing,
Applications such as security systems, home
telecommunications and image
automations, etc.
processing.