ARM vs x86

[jake schofield]

Hey guys, I was wondering why ARM processors aren't used in desktops, they are cheaper, low power, and run less hot so why don't we use them?

 

Of course almost all the software is coded for X86 but if (hypothetically) everyone changed to code for arm instead would there be any downsides?

[79wjd]

x86 is a more powerful instruction set.

[Stevoisboss]

POWER 

[The Sloth]

arm is more for smartphones, smart home appliance, and other moderately low power task with efficiency and power consumption. x86 is designed more for high powered computers with more performance in mind. 

[GoodBytes]

x86 CPUs are a lot more powerful.

But if you wonder, Microsoft is working on: Windows 10 for ARM, full Windows 10 ported for ARM based computer with an x86/Win32 emulator, so that all programs works on it.

Microsoft has showed the OS running in a small preview type video, running the with Snapdragon 820. But Microsoft is aiming for the 835 model to get the most performance to provide an acceptable experience.

 

 

 

[OuchMyFaceyHole]

Software compatibility and that is it. The instruction set really has nothing to do with performance of modern CPU's. 20 years ago yes but not so much now. If ARM had full compatibility with x86 with no performance loss then you would see ARM on desktop.

 

14 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

x86 is a more powerful instruction set.

 

[Coaxialgamer]

12 minutes ago, Stevoisboss said:

POWER 

Nobody ever mentioned IBM... 

[The Sloth]

9 minutes ago, L.Lawliet said:

Because it cant run crysis thats why.

*Old joke i know

 

yes it can, this is nintendo switch SOC running crysis 3 at 1080p 

 

[The Sloth]

Just now, L.Lawliet said:

Is that Nvidia shield?

yup

[79wjd]

1 minute ago, L.Lawliet said:

Is that Nvidia shield?

hmmmmm, not sure

 

[The Sloth]

Just now, djdwosk97 said:

hmmmmm, not sure

 

 

 

[The Sloth]

Just now, L.Lawliet said:

 

-____-"

 

before dismissing something do more research 

[TheRandomness]

-Thread moved to CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory.

[Sonic7662]

Nobody has mentioned so far that the capabilities of ARM-based processors can vary quite dramatically considering they're available to be licensed and modified design wise. Apple used to do this in many of the products that had what they called the A processors (ARM chips with 11 herbs and spices). x86 on the other hand is stuck with the instructions that it had many years ago. It's also worth pointing out that the features of both platforms can be somewhat transcending in that functionality like graphics processing can be added on alongside the processors themselves in the same die. 

[faziten]

ARM SoC are designed to use low power, not a desktop concern, see AMD las GPU's, 10% extra performance and 60% extra power draw Lul.

Kidding.

 

The main reason is they lack power and upgrade-ability they are SoC, you are stuck with what you got.