RISC vs. CISC at 46

What was it about, and does it matter today?

Edition 1.05 - 25/7/26

© Nicholas Blachford 2026

Contents

• Section A

• Part 1: What is RISC?
• Part 2: How the RISC Concept Came About

• Section B

• Part 3: The Rise of RISC
• Part 4: Death of a CISC

• Section C

• Part 5: Revenge of the CISC
• Part 6: Return of the RISC
• Part 7: Complexity Theory

• Section D

• Part 8: Back to the Present
• Conclusion: RISC 46 Years on
• Addendum: Can RISC Take a CISC?

• Section E

• References
• Glossary

PDF Version: https://blachford.info/computer/RISC_VS_CISC_at_46/RISC-vs-CISC_at_46.pdf

Front page: https://blachford.info/computer/RISC_VS_CISC_at_46/index.html

Note: This article is mainly intended for those with an interest in microprocessors and uses standard industry terms. A glossary is included to explain some of these if you are unfamiliar with them.

© Nicholas Blachford 2026