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 Why are ARM Processors so much Cheaper than x86/64?
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BigBear




PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 4:21 pm   Post subject: Why are ARM Processors so much Cheaper than x86/64?

Why are ARM processors so much cheaper than x86/64?

And why don't they need a fan?
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Insectoid




PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:03 pm   Post subject: RE:Why are ARM Processors so much Cheaper than x86/64?

Afaik, ARM requires far fewer transistors than x86 architecture, so presumably they're cheeper to produce and generate less heat. Instructions don't take as long to execute and they can be made much smaller and use less power.

This part is just a guess, but there may be less legacy circuitry in ARM than x86, and certainly less than x86-64.
mirhagk




PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:04 pm   Post subject: RE:Why are ARM Processors so much Cheaper than x86/64?

ARM are based on a reduced instruction set, (ie there aren't as many commands available). Basically that means there are WAY fewer transistors than on an x86 processor.

That means, as insectoid said, less transistors, cheaper to produce and less heat/power.

It also means that it is a LOT less powerful, even if they were clocked at the same speed. But since they are cheaper it's possible that for the dollar ARM could be much cheaper (but programmers would lose most of the instructions they love, which would suck, and all the processor progress would go back, way back)
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