RISC vs. CISC Architectures

RISC architectures are widely used in modern devices such as smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems because of their efficiency. Examples of RISC-based processors include those in the ARM family, which power most mobile devices and IoT devices.

CISC architectures, such as x86, dominate in desktop computers, laptops, and servers because of their compatibility with a broad range of software. Many modern processors, including Intel and AMD CPUs, use CISC architectures but incorporate RISC principles for certain operations.

While RISC excels in energy efficiency, CISC provides better support for complex operating systems and older software environments.

Understanding the differences and applications of RISC and CISC helps in choosing the appropriate architecture for specific use cases.