What is an instruction set? (AKIO TV)

AKIO TV

14 Jan 201806:20

Summary

TLDRThis script explains the concept of CPU instruction sets, which are like languages that CPUs 'speak'. It contrasts CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) with RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing), detailing their advantages and use cases. CISC CPUs, like Intel's x86, are powerful but less efficient for simple tasks, while RISC CPUs, like ARM, are energy-efficient and ideal for mobile devices. The script also discusses how companies like Intel and ARM Holdings approach their instruction set architectures differently.

Takeaways

💻 **CPU's Role**: A CPU processes data and instructions, where instructions are crucial for telling the CPU what to do with the data.
📝 **Instruction Set Defined**: An instruction set is a collection of commands that a CPU can understand and execute.
🔢 **Binary Nature**: Instructions are binary codes (zeros and ones) that the CPU interprets to perform operations.
📱 **Variety in Instructions**: Different CPUs have different instruction sets; some may have more complex or varied instructions than others.
🏎️ **Complexity in SISD**: SISD (Complex Instruction Set Computing) CPUs have a wide array of instructions, which can perform complex operations efficiently but consume more power.
🚀 **Efficiency in RISC**: RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) CPUs are designed for efficiency and simplicity, using fewer transistors and less power, ideal for mobile devices.
📲 **Application in Devices**: SISD CPUs are common in desktops and laptops, while RISC CPUs dominate in mobile devices due to their power efficiency.
🛠️ **x86 and ARM**: x86 is a SISD instruction set by Intel, used across many generations of CPUs, while ARM is a RISC set used in mobile devices.
🏢 **Intel's Monopoly**: Intel is the sole legal manufacturer of x86 CPUs, with AMD being an exception due to a historical license.
🌐 **ARM's Licensing Model**: ARM Holdings licenses its architecture to multiple companies, allowing them to produce their own ARM-based CPUs, unlike Intel's closed model.

Q & A

What is an instruction set in the context of a CPU?
-An instruction set is the set of all the operations a CPU can perform. It's like a language that the CPU understands, consisting of machine code made up of zeros and ones.
Why are instructions important for a CPU?
-Instructions are crucial because they tell the CPU what to do with the data it processes. Without instructions, the CPU wouldn't know how to handle the data it receives.
How does the instruction set vary across different CPUs?
-The instruction set varies because different CPUs have different machine codes for the same operations. One CPU's 'add' instruction might be different from another's.
What is the difference between CISC and RISC instruction sets?
-CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) includes as many instructions as possible, which can handle complex operations efficiently but requires a more complex CPU design. RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) minimizes the number of instructions, resulting in a simpler and more energy-efficient CPU design.
Why are CISC CPUs less efficient for simple workloads?
-CISC CPUs are less efficient for simple workloads because their complex design consumes more power and the complex operations advantage is not utilized in basic tasks like web browsing or email reading.
What is the advantage of using RISC CPUs in mobile devices?
-RISC CPUs are advantageous in mobile devices because they are designed to be energy-efficient, which is ideal for devices that run on battery power.
Which instruction set is x86, and who developed it?
-x86 is a CISC instruction set developed by Intel. It has been used in Intel CPUs for a long time, including the Core i7 8700K and the older Pentium 4.
Why is Intel the only company legally allowed to make x86 CPUs?
-Intel is the only company legally allowed to make x86 CPUs because they have been successful in preventing other companies from producing them, although AMD also has a license to produce x86 CPUs.
What is ARM, and how did it become popular?
-ARM is a RISC instruction set that was developed during the same era as x86. It became popular in the 2000s when mobile devices gained traction and there was a need for energy-efficient CPUs.
How does ARM Holdings' business model differ from Intel's?
-ARM Holdings sells licenses to make ARM CPUs to other companies, allowing them to create their own designs based on the ARM instruction set. In contrast, Intel keeps its x86 architecture for itself and produces its own CPUs.
Which companies are known for making ARM-based CPUs?
-Companies like Qualcomm, Apple, and Samsung are known for making ARM-based CPUs, which are commonly used in smartphones and other mobile devices.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Understanding CPU Instruction Sets

This paragraph explains the concept of a CPU's instruction set. It starts by defining a CPU as a device that processes data but also requires instructions to perform tasks. The speaker uses the example of adding numbers to illustrate that data alone is not sufficient; instructions are necessary for the CPU to know what to do. These instructions are machine code, binary codes that vary across different CPUs. The paragraph then contrasts two types of instruction sets: CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) and RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing). CISC CPUs have a wide variety of instructions, which can perform complex operations with fewer instructions but are less efficient for simple tasks and consume more power. RISC CPUs, on the other hand, have a smaller set of basic instructions, resulting in a simpler CPU design that uses less power and is more efficient for basic operations but requires more instructions for complex tasks. The speaker also mentions that CISC CPUs are typically used in desktops and laptops, while RISC CPUs are ideal for mobile devices due to their power efficiency.

05:02

📱 Popular Instruction Sets: x86 and ARM

The second paragraph delves into specific examples of instruction sets, namely x86 and ARM. x86 is a CISC instruction set developed by Intel, which has been used in all their CPUs, including the older Pentium 4 and the newer Core i7 8700 K. Intel has been successful in maintaining exclusivity over x86, with AMD being the only other company legally allowed to produce x86 CPUs. The paragraph then shifts to ARM, a RISC instruction set that gained popularity in the 2000s with the rise of mobile devices. Unlike Intel, ARM Holdings does not manufacture CPUs itself but licenses the rights to other companies, such as Qualcomm, Apple, and Samsung, to create their own ARM-based CPU designs. This strategy has allowed ARM to become widely adopted in the mobile industry due to its energy efficiency and adaptability.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡CPU

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, which is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside the computer. It is often referred to as the 'brain' of the computer. In the script, the CPU is described as a device that processes information and data, emphasizing its role in executing instructions to perform tasks such as adding numbers.

💡Instruction Set

An instruction set is a collection of commands that a CPU can understand and execute. It's like a language that the CPU speaks. The script explains that every CPU has a specific instruction set, which defines what operations it can perform. The variety of instructions a CPU supports is crucial for its functionality and efficiency.

💡Machine Code

Machine code refers to the low-level language of a computer, consisting of binary numbers (0s and 1s) that the CPU can directly execute. The script mentions that instructions for the CPU are machine code, which is the fundamental language the CPU understands to perform operations.

💡Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC)

CISC is a type of computer architecture where the instruction set is complex and contains a large number of instructions. The script describes CISC as having an instruction for almost any operation, which allows for complex tasks to be performed with fewer instructions but at the cost of higher power consumption and complexity.

💡Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC)

RISC is a computer architecture that uses a smaller set of simpler instructions. The script explains that RISC CPUs are designed for efficiency and simplicity, using fewer transistors and less power, which makes them ideal for mobile devices where power efficiency is critical.

💡Transistors

Transistors are electronic components that amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. They are fundamental to the operation of CPUs. The script mentions that a more complex CPU design, like CISC, requires more transistors, leading to higher power consumption.

💡x86

x86 is a CISC instruction set architecture originally developed by Intel. The script uses x86 as an example of a CISC instruction set, mentioning that Intel has been using it for a long time, and that it is used in both older CPUs like the Pentium 4 and newer ones like the Core i7.

💡ARM

ARM is a RISC architecture that has become popular in mobile devices due to its energy efficiency. The script contrasts ARM with x86, highlighting its rise to prominence in the 2000s as mobile devices became mainstream and the need for power-efficient CPUs increased.

💡Power Efficiency

Power efficiency refers to how effectively a device uses energy. In the context of the script, power efficiency is a key advantage of RISC architectures like ARM, which are designed to consume less power, making them suitable for battery-operated devices.

💡Instruction

An instruction, in the context of the script, is a command given to the CPU to perform a specific operation, such as adding numbers. The script emphasizes that providing data to the CPU is not enough; one must also give it instructions on what to do with that data.

💡Energy-Efficient

Energy efficiency is the ability of a system or device to deliver the desired output with minimal energy consumption. The script discusses how RISC CPUs are energy-efficient, which is crucial for mobile devices that rely on battery power.

Highlights

A CPU processes information and data, but also requires instructions to perform tasks.

Instructions are machine code that the CPU can understand, often represented by zeros and ones.

Different CPUs have different machine codes for the same operation.

A CPU's instruction set is like a language it speaks, defining what operations it can perform.

Instruction sets can be categorized into CISC (Complex) and RISC (Reduced).

CISC CPUs have a large number of instructions, which can be very complex.

RISC CPUs have a smaller set of basic instructions, which are simpler and more efficient for basic operations.

CISC CPUs are typically used in desktops and laptops, while RISC CPUs are ideal for mobile devices due to their power efficiency.

Intel's x86 is an example of a CISC instruction set that has been used for a long time.

Intel is the only company legally allowed to make x86 CPUs, along with AMD.

ARM is a RISC instruction set that became popular with the rise of mobile devices.

ARM Holdings sells licenses to make ARM CPUs, unlike Intel which produces its own CPUs.

Companies like Qualcomm, Apple, and Samsung make CPUs based on the ARM instruction set.

The instruction set determines the capabilities and efficiency of a CPU.

Understanding instruction sets is crucial for optimizing CPU performance for specific tasks.

The video provides a comprehensive overview of instruction sets and their impact on computing.