RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) used on all but Intel (and compatible).
- Based on simpler instructions along with pipelining (completion of instructions while new instructions are initiated) complete 1 instruction per clock tick. Usually with superscaler (multiple pipelines).
- Contrast with traditional CPUs, CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer), which have usually more complex instructions which cannot be completed in a single clock.
- Even Intel chips make use of RISC concepts including pipelining.
Special Processors
1. ASIC (Application specific integrated circuit) used for special tasks such as halftoning, color conversion, PostScript interpretation etc.
2. DSP (Digital Signal Processors) Add in board for performing repetitive arithmetic operations in parallel with main CPU.
- Software Availability
- Most Software available on Mac or Wintel Much standard software available on unix Some high performance graphics software only on unix
- Unix
- Truly multiuser (although only one can use the display at one time). Motif, Open Look windowing systems Well suited for large images