What is the Difference Between

Microprocessors and Microcontroller

What are the similarities between microprocessors and microcontrollers?

Microprocessors and microcontrollers are centralized computer chips that provide intelligence to
personal computers and electronic devices. They're built with semiconductor integrated circuits
and share certain internal parts.

Integrated circuit

Both microprocessors and microcontrollers are semiconductor components built on an integrated

circuit. An integrated circuit is a very tiny square or rectangular chip that contains thousands or
even millions of electronic components. Integrated circuits allow engineers to reduce the size of
electronic circuits.

CPU

Both microprocessors and microcontrollers have a CPU. A CPU is the centralized part of the
computer chip that processes instructions provided by applications or firmware. The CPU also
has a special arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) module. An ALU calculates mathematical values and
evaluates logic problems based on computer instructions.

Registers

Registers are memory modules that the CPU uses for processing. The CPU temporarily stores
instructions or binary data before, during, and after they're processed. Both microprocessors and
microcontrollers are built with internal registers, although microcontrollers often have more
registers than microcontrollers.
Architectural differences: microprocessors vs. microcontrollers

Architectural differences: microprocessors vs. microcontrollers

Despite taking the form of computer chips, microprocessors and microcontrollers are constructed
with different architectures.

Microprocessors are engineered with the von Neumann architecture, where a program and data
reside in the same memory module. Meanwhile, microcontrollers use the Harvard architecture,
which separates program memory from data space.

Microprocessors have more integrated circuit components than microcontrollers. This

architectural difference affects design considerations for microprocessors and microcontrollers in
computing and embedded system applications.

Read about computer chips »

Memory

Microprocessors have no internal memory modules for storing application data. Engineers must
connect the microprocessor to external memory storages such as ROM and RAM with an
external bus.

A bus is a set of parallel electrical connections that allows the microprocessor to send and
receive data from other devices. There are three types of buses:
  A data bus transmits data
 An address bus transmits information about where to store and retrieve data
 A control bus transmits signals to coordinate with other electric components

All three work collectively in a microprocessor system.

On the other hand, microcontrollers are built with internal ROM and RAM memories. A
microcontroller uses an internal bus to interact with built-in memory modules.

Peripherals

Peripherals are timers, communication, I/O, and other capabilities that allow microcontrollers or
microprocessors to interact with external components or users.

The microprocessor has no peripherals built into its integrated circuit. Instead, peripherals are
connected externally to expand the microprocessor's use cases beyond mathematical and logic
processing.

In contrast, microcontrollers connect with on-chip peripherals with an internal controlling bus.
This allows the microcontroller to control electronic devices with minimum or no additional
parts.

Computational capacity

Microprocessors are powerful computer chips capable of performing complex computational and
mathematical tasks. For example, you can run statistical processing software because the
microprocessor supports floating-point operation.

Conversely, microcontrollers have comparatively lower processing power and seldom support
floating point calculation. Instead, they focus on implementing specific logic, such as controlling
a heater's temperature based on various sensors

Other key differences: microprocessors vs. microcontrollers

Microprocessors support versatile computing operations in personal computers and enterprise

servers. Meanwhile, microcontrollers allow embedded systems to analyze and respond to inputs
in real-time.

When engineers develop systems with microprocessors and microcontrollers, they're mindful of
differences like these.
Clock speed

Microprocessors provide high-speed and robust computing capacities for varying applications. A
modern computer processor operates in the range of gigahertz (GHz). This allows a computer
system to perform complex mathematical calculations and return the results promptly.

While the microcontroller's speed has increased throughout the decades, it's much less than the
microprocessor's processing speed. Depending on its purpose, a microcontroller's clock speed
ranges between kilohertz (kHz) to hundreds of megahertz (MHz). Despite the lower speed range,
a microcontroller can operate optimally within its dedicated scope of application.

Circuit size

A microprocessor cannot operate on its own. It relies on external parts, such as communication
chips, I/O ports, RAM, and ROM, to form a complete computing system. Therefore, a
microprocessor-based circuit consists of an address and data bus connecting many peripherals
and memory chips. Even with advancements in printed circuit board (PCB) technologies, a
microprocessor system requires considerable space.

The microcontroller, however, provides a space-saving design with a simpler circuit. Most of the
additional components a microprocessor-based system needs are readily available on the same
chip. Rather than using individually separated components, engineers use a single
microcontroller when designing electronic devices. This allows more space on the electronic
circuit board, which allows engineers to produce compact systems.

Power consumption

Microprocessors often run at a higher speed than microcontrollers and consume more power, so
they require an external power supply. Likewise, a computing system based on a microprocessor
unit has a higher total power consumption because of the large number of additional
components.

Meanwhile, microcontrollers are designed to operate efficiently with minimal power. Moreover,
most microcontrollers have power-saving features, which microprocessors lack.

For example, a microcontroller can activate the power-saving mode and consumes limited power
when not processing data. Microcontrollers can also turn off internal peripherals not in use to
save power. This makes microcontrollers ideal for building a dedicated low-power application
that runs on stored power.

Operating system

In practical applications, microprocessors require an operating system to provide the appropriate

functionalities. Without an operating system, users would have to instruct the microprocessor in
assembly or binary language.
Meanwhile, microcontrollers don't require an operating system to run. There are, however,
specific operating systems that help mid- and high-range microcontrollers to operate more
efficiently.

Connectivity

Microprocessors handle more diverse communication technologies than microcontrollers. For

example, a microprocessor processes high-speed USB 3.0 or Gigabit Ethernet data without a
secondary processor.

However, most microcontrollers need a special processor for high-speed data connectivity.

Cost

A microprocessor integrated circuit only consists of the CPU, arithmetic-logic unit (ALU), and
registers, which reduces the per-unit manufacturing cost. Meanwhile, a single microcontroller
has a more complex internal architecture and is generally more expensive than a microprocessor.

However, a microprocessor-based system is more expensive as it requires additional

components. In contrast, a microcontroller is self-sufficient for its chosen application.

The microcontroller requires fewer additional components, which results in cheaper

microcontroller-based systems. For example, an air conditioner's circuit board with a
microcontroller costs less than a computer motherboard with microprocessors.

Use cases: microprocessors vs. microcontrollers

Both microprocessors and microcontrollers are useful electronic components when you apply
them to the appropriate use cases.

Use a microprocessor if you require robust processing power for complex or unpredictable
computing tasks. Microprocessors are used in all types of computing devices like servers,
desktop computers, and mobile computing devices. Organizations use servers with many
microprocessors for high-performance computing and for running artificial intelligence (AI)
applications.

On the other hand, the microcontroller is the better choice if you're building a control system
with a narrowly defined scope. Microcontrollers are also useful for systems that require low
power consumption. Some microcontrollers can run for months with just a small battery. For
example, a smart home system is powered by microcontrollers. Compact devices like drones or
portable audio players also contain microcontrollers.