CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER PROCESSORS

-The processor or Central Processing Unit is the central nervous system of any computing
device. This is where all the processing of data and information happens, so that we get what
we want out of the computing device in a form comprehensible to us. The processor is
responsible for following the instructions of a computer program and carrying out activities as
instructed by that program.

1. Classification based on Brand Names and Manufacturers

-Based upon brand and manufacturer names, there are two major types of processors available -
Intel and AMD.
- Intel's processors include; Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Celeron, Pentium II and III Xeon,
Pentium M, Dual Core Xeon, Intel Core and Intel Core 2, Intel Pentium Dual Core, Dual Core
Xeon LV, Pentium Duo, Core 2 Quad and Intel Pentuim 2 Dual Core Processor, are some of the
most popular processors from Intel that are used in their products by a lot of PC and laptop
manufacturers.
-AMD's processors include; Athlon, Duron, Turion, Sempron, Phenom and Opteron processor
ranges are equally popular, especially for those computers and laptops that are specifically
targeted towards prospects who are heavily into multimedia and gaming.

2. Classification Based on Data Bus Width

-Basically we have '32 bit processor and 64 bit processor'
- The number of bits that a processor is tagged with refers to how many bits of data and memory
address size the data bus can accommodate. Therefore, a 32 bit processor can process data and
memory addresses that can be laid out in 32 bits, while a 64 bit processor has a data bus that is
wide enough to process data or memory addresses which are capable of being laid out in 64
bits.
-The more bits of data and memory address a processor can process at a time, the faster it is
considered! Previously, there were 4 bit processors, 8 bit processors as well as 16 bit processors
available. However, nowadays, we only see and use either 32 bit or 64 bit processors. When you
compare computer processors speed, the wider a data bus is, the faster the processor works.

3. Classification of Processors Based on Number of Cores

-What do Dual Core and Quad Core technically mean?
-A core on a processor is like the brain in the nervous system. This is where the actual reading
and execution of program instructions takes place. Now, imagine yourself having two or more
brains instead of just one - would that make you capable of thinking and acting faster on a given
stimulus in a given situation? Wouldn't those complex differential equations and calculus sums
get solved more accurately and in less time when the problem itself gets divided among two or
three cerebral processing centers? Wouldn't you be able to handle more tasks than usual?
-Well, that's exactly what happens when the number of cores on a processor increases from
one to two, four, etc. More processors enable the computer to perform multiple tasks at the same
time, without having to wait for the completion of one task before starting the next. On these
lines, we have single core processors, dual core processors, quadruple core processors, and so
on.

-Those were, roughly, the most significant classes or types under which various available
processors can be categorized. When checking out the processor and performance specifications
while buying a computer or laptop, these are the main areas of concern that influence the buyers'
decision to a significant level. Based upon individual computing requirements (ranging from
basic Internet browsing and mailing to upgraded business use to high-end gaming and
multimedia purposes), a buyer would settle for a processor that succeeds in striking an
equilibrium between his computing needs and his budget.

4. Classification of Microprocessor based on Characteristics

-A Microprocessor can be classified depending on many measure here we discuss classification
of microprocessor based on characteristics.
The microprocessors are classified into three categories. These are as follows:
Classification of microprocessor
1. RISC processors
2. CISC processors
3. Special processors.

a) RISC Processors
-RISC is an acronym for reduced instruction set computer. The concept of RISC processor
involves an attempt to reduce execution time by simplifying the instruction set of the computer.
The major characteristics of a RISC processors are:
 Relatively few instructions
 Relatively few addressing modes
 Memory access limited to load and store instructions
 All operations done within the registers of the CPU
 All operations done within the registers of the CPU
 Fixed-length, easily decoded instruction format
 Single-cycle instruction execution
 Hardwired rather than microprogrammed control.
Some architectural features of RISCs are:
 Relatively large number of registers in the processing unit
 Use of overlapped register windows to speedup procedure, call and return
 Efficient instruction pipeline
  Compiler support for efficient translation of high level language programs into machine
language programs.
Some popular RISC processors are:
 Power PC: 601, 604, 615, 620
 DEC Alpha: 210642, 211066, 21068, 21164
 MIPS: TS (R10000) RISC Processor
 PA-RISC: HP 7100LC
b)CISC Processor
-CISC is an acronym for complex instruction set computer. Major characteristics of a CISC
processors are:
 Large number of instruction
 Some instructions that perform specialized tasks
 Variety of addressing modes
 Variable length instruction formats
 Instructions that manipulate control
 Several cycles may be required to execute one instruction.
Examples: Intel’s x86 family: Motorola’s 680000, 68020, 68030, 68030, 68040 etc.
c) Special Processors
-There are several other processors, which are used for special purposes. Some of these
processors are briefly discussed below.
i)Coprocessor
-A coprocessor is a microprocessor but unlike a general propose microprocessor, it is dedicated
to its specific function as a purpose device.
-Because, the coprocessor is designed for a specific purpose, it can handle its particular function
many times faster that the ordinary general purpose, it can handle its particular function many
times faster than the ordinary general purpose microprocessor. The most well know coprocessor
is the math-coprocessor.
-Until the introduction of the 486DX microprocessor, the math-coprocessor was a separate chip.
But 486DX and Pentium microprocessors have the math-coprocessor integrated on the same chip
with the microprocessor. Intel math-coprocessors are:
 8087-used with 8086
 80287-used with 80286
 80387-used with 80386.
Cyrix and Weitek also market math-coprocessors.
ii) Input / Output processor
-One of the most important type of processors in I/O processors. An I/O processor has a local
memory of its own right. With this architecture, a large set of I/O devices can be controlled, with
minimal CPU involvement.
-A common use for such architecture has been to control communication with interactive
terminals. The I/O processors take care of most of the tasks involved in controlling the terminals.
I/O processors are used in the following fashion:
 The CPU executes a series of data-transfer instructions that send a set of input operands
and command information to registers in the I/O processor.
 The I/O processor decodes and executes the command received from the CPU generating
a result that is placed in registers accessible to the CPU.
  The CPU determines that the I/O processor has completed its task either by checking its
status or else by receiving an interrupt signal from the I/O processor.
 The CPU then obtains the results from the I/O processor by executing more data transfer
instructions.
Common examples of I/O processors are:
 DMA (direct Memory Access) controller
 Keyboard/mouse controller
 Graphic display controller
 SCSI port controller etc.
iii) Transputer
-The transputer (transistor computer) is a high performance microprocessor designed to facilitate
inter-process and inter-processor communications and is targeted at the efficient exploitation of
very large scale intergration (VLSI) technology.
-The most important feature of the transputer is its external links, which enable it to be used as a
building block in the construction of low cost, high performance multiprocessing systems.
-Communication takes place (via these links) only between pairs of devices and is distributed
throughout the system. The transporter family consists of several types of VLSI devices
including the 16-bit T212, the 32-bit T425 and the floating point T800, T805 and T9000
processors.

iv) DSP (Digital Signal Processor)

-This processor is specially designed to handle real-world analog signals that have been
converted to digital representations. Some of the applications that DSP can support are:
 Sound and music synthesis
 Modem function
 Audio and video compression
 Speech synthesis and decompression
 Speech recognition
 Video signal processing
 2D and 3d graphics acceleration.
Examples: Texas Instrument’s TMS 320 series, e.g., TMS 320C40, TMS320C50.