Turing Award Winner: TPU vs GPU vs CPU, Computer Architecture, RISC vs CISC | David Patterson

Computer architecture has evolved from the early RISC versus CISC debates to a modern era defined by domain-specific processors. While x86 architectures maintained a stronghold in PCs, RISC designs—exemplified by ARM—now dominate mobile and cloud environments due to superior energy efficiency. The breakdown of Dennard scaling in 2005 necessitated a pivot from general-purpose CPUs to specialized hardware like GPUs and TPUs, which excel at AI-centric tasks like matrix multiplication through optimized floating-point formats. Turing Award winner David Patterson highlights that these advancements, combined with strategic compiler development, drive performance where Moore’s Law has slowed. Beyond technical insights, professional longevity stems from prioritizing family, focusing on finishing impactful projects, and maintaining the courage to confront flawed technical arguments in a collaborative marketplace of ideas.