CPUs and architecture

What is the main purpose of pipelining in a CPU?

  1. ATo divide instruction processing into stages and overlap the stages of different instructions, increasing throughput
  2. BTo always shorten the execution time (latency) of each instruction
  3. CTo reduce the number of instructions and make programs smaller
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. To divide instruction processing into stages and overlap the stages of different instructions, increasing throughput

Pipelining overlaps stages such as fetch, decode, execute and write-back like an assembly line, increasing the number of instructions completed per unit time (throughput). It does not shorten the processing time of each instruction itself, and the flow can be disrupted by branches and data dependencies (hazards).

Practice this topic Back to topic

More CPUs and architecture questions

  1. What is the main purpose of cache memory?
  2. Which is a characteristic of a von Neumann computer?
  3. What is the main purpose of putting multiple processor cores on one chip (multicore)?
  4. Which is a characteristic of RISC (reduced instruction set computer)?
  5. What is the period of a 1 GHz clock?