Differences between Data paths

Prerequisite – ALU and Data Path In this section, we shall discuss the difference between data-paths. These data-paths are:

1. Single Cycle
2. Multiple Cycle
3. Pipeline

In single cycle clock cycle time is long enough for instruction while in multi cycle and pipeline clock cycle time is short enough for the instructions. Now, the difference among them are given below:

Single Cycle	Multiple Cycle	Pipeline
Single Cycle has one CPI (clock cycle per instruction).	Multiple cycle have variable number of CPI (Clock Cycle Per Instruction).	In pipeline, there is fixed number of CPI (Clock Cycle Per Instruction).
Single cycle have no instructions subdivided.	Multiple cycle have arbitrary number of instructions subdivided.	pipeline also have instructions subdivided one step per pipeline stage.
In Single cycle, there is executed one instruction at the same time.	In Multiple cycle, there is also executed one instruction at same time.	But in pipeline, many instructions are executed at the same time.
Extra registers are not used in single cycle.	But in multiple cycle, extra registers are used.	Extra registers are also used in pipeline.
In single cycle, clock cycle time is long.	In multiple cycle, clock cycle time is short.	In pipeline, clock cycle time is also short.
There is no overlapping in single cycle.	In multiple cycle, there is also no overlapping.	In pipeline, there is overlap instruction execution.