X86 vs ARM - The PC War

A Hype?

Recently laptops powered by ARM processors have taken industry by storm. Touted as being highly power efficient, providing 18 hours backup, on as single charge. That too while running multiple program instances. Would this spell an end to the x86 architecture, where Intel and AMD rule. Or will the tables turn around?

What's the Difference?

Let's start with an x86 based CPU. They feature a single processing unit which can be integrated to other external peripherals like Memory, GPU etc. Here each peripheral has a separate controller, knitted together by address and data BUS. When we look at ARM all the above components (Memory, GPU) are integrated within the main chip. Known commonly as SOC (System on a Chip). This helps in reduced footprint. But they do come with a drawback. Cannot expand by adding extra peripherals.

Coming to complexity, x86 provides a simpler set up, at least for a developer. Here most of the core tasks such as Memory Read/Write, Arithmetic operations are processed mainly by the CPU (Central Processing Unit).

This is done through a set of instructions embedded within the same. Programmers can write code that piggyback on these instructions, providing faster execution cycle. This is commonly known as CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computers). The tradeoff is higher processing power, requiring more transistors, and increased power usage

When it comes to ARM, it runs on RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computers). Here the instruction set is limited. More load gets transferred to the compiler, instead of the CPU. The developer has to write more complex, or multiple codes for certain tasks. But this reflects a lower processing power, in turn reducing the power consumption.

Since less heat is generated by an ARM chip, cooling requirements are a minimal, while for x86 high end fan or water-based coolant is required.

This is why ARM chip have found a particular niche in smart phones, and low power embedded systems. x86 chips until now held a monopoly on Laptops, Home PCs and Server Workstations.

More info:

https://blog.acer.com/en/discussion/1639/arm-vs-x86-understanding-the-differences-in-computer-architecture

https://emteria.com/blog/arm-vs-x86

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