Computer Architecture describes the set of rules and systems that all work together to create a computer system. Understanding this can be rather tricky, due to the amount of detail and complexity involved. To help you with the process, we have gathered together some of the Best Books on Computer Architecture here for you to pick from.
The Books that we will be reviewing today:
- Computer Organization And Architecture, 10th Edition
- The Elements of Computing Systems, second edition: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles 2nd Edition
- Modern Computer Architecture and Organization: Learn x86, ARM, and RISC-V architectures and the design of smartphones, PCs, and cloud servers, 2nd Edition
- Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture 5th Edition
- Digital Design and Computer Architecture 2nd Edition
- Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Computer Architecture and Design) 6th Edition
- Essentials of Computer Architecture 2nd Edition
- The Architecture of Computer Hardware, Systems Software, and Networking: An Information Technology Approach 5th Edition
Computer Organization And Architecture, 10th Edition
Author: William Stallings
Publication Date: May 21, 2015
Pages: 864
Computer Organization and Architecture is a comprehensive coverage of the entire field of computer design, written by the renowned author William Stallings. The Book places special emphasis on subjects like I/O functions and structures, RISC, and parallel processors, using real-world examples to make the experience more engaging for the reader.
Readers praise the book for its up-to-date content and complete coverage of all computer architecture topics. However, you may find the Book’s explanations to be a little hard to follow if you are a complete beginner.
People looking for detailed high-level reference books on computer architecture and design should definitely try this one.
You can buy it online here >>>>
The Elements of Computing Systems, second edition: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles 2nd Edition
Authors: Noam Nisan, Shimon Schocken
Publication Date: June 15, 2021
Pages: 344
The best way to truly understand how Computers work is to just make one yourself. This is the theme behind this book, The Elements of Computing Systems. Readers will be guided through twelve chapters and projects that gradually build the hardware platform and software hierarchy for a simple but powerful computer system.
Learners will gain hands-on experience with all the underlying fundamental concepts that make up a Computer system, such as the hardware, software, programming languages used, compilers, data structures and algorithms, and more.
You will start the book by learning about the elementary logic gates used for logic operations, and end the book by creating a computer system capable of playing games like Tetris and other programs. Another plus point is that you need no prior knowledge about computer systems before beginning this book.
You can buy it online here >>>>
Modern Computer Architecture and Organization: Learn x86, ARM, and RISC-V architectures and the design of smartphones, PCs, and cloud servers, 2nd Edition
Author: Jim Ledin
Publication Date: May 4, 2022
Pages: 666
Jim Ledin, releases the 2nd Edition of his popular book, Modern Computer Architecture and Organization to educate readers about the various types of modern computer systems in today’s world. The goal of the book is to help you design computer systems and develop better applications for use on these systems.
The book will start off with introductory topics such as the study of transistors, logic gates, and sequential logic (recommended for beginners!). The book then focuses on the various architectures found in common devices (mobiles and PC’s), such as x86, x64, ARM, and RISC-V processors. The later chapters touch upon modern systems such as quantum computing, cybersecurity, bitcoin, and self-driving cars.
By the end of this book, you will have complete knowledge (including hands-on experience) of the modern systems being employed all around the world, and how these systems may change in the upcoming future.
You can buy it online here >>>>
Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture 5th Edition
Authors: Linda Null, Julia Lobur
Publication Date: March 20, 2018
Pages: 744
An award-winning book, Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture introduces readers to the inner workings of modern computer systems through an integrated presentation of fundamental concepts and principles.
This book is one of the only few books on Computer Systems and Designs that is targeted towards instructors. Each new print copy of this book includes Navigate 2 Advantage Access that unlocks a comprehensive and interactive eBook, student practice activities and assessments, a full suite of instructor resources complete with learning analytics.
Like any good book on Computer Systems, Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture teaches its readers the basic fundamental concepts, and helps them to develop the right-mindset towards how these theoretical concepts are applied in real-life systems.
You can buy it online here >>>>
Digital Design and Computer Architecture 2nd Edition
Authors: David Harris, Sarah L. Harris
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Pages: 720
Digital Design and Computer Architecture keeps its readers interested and highly engaged by teaching them the fundamental concepts behind Computer Architecture, while step-by-step developing a microprocessor using the taught concepts.
Hardware languages Verilog and VHDL are used in the designing of the microprocessor. You will also be guided on how to interface with peripherals using RS232, SPI, motor control, interrupts, wireless, analog-to-digital conversion etc. using practical examples.
The second edition, includes new exercises and examples to help the reader strengthen their understanding. There is also a new section on C programming, that helps bridge the gap between regular programming, and processing architecture.
You can buy it online here >>>>
Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach: 6th Edition
Authors: John L. Hennessy, David A. Patterson
Publication Date: December 7, 2017
Pages: 936
Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach has been regarded as one of the authority books on Computer Design by students and practitioners of computer design for over 20 years and counting. The 6th Edition of this book comes fully revised with the latest developments in processor and system architecture.
Along with the all the basic fundamental concepts behind computer design and architecture, the book’s 6th edition also includes new concepts such as RISC V, domain specific architectures and warehouse scale computing.
The end of each chapter includes various examples, review sections, and real-life case studies that elaborate upon and further reinforce the concepts covered in each chapter.
If you decide to give this book a shot, be sure to refer to the Appendices, as there is a lot of extra information and detail in there as well.
You can buy it online here >>>>
Essentials of Computer Architecture 2nd Edition
Author: Douglas Comer (Author)
Publication Date: January 17, 2017
Pages: 511
This books markets itself as an easy to read book, introducing its reader to the fundamentals of computer systems and the hardware involved. The book is written from a programmers point of view, for programmers.
The book is divided into 5 main parts, with the first few sections covering basics like digital logic, processors, memory and I/O with later chapters covering advanced topics like parallelism, pipelining, power and energy, and performance.
Beginners to Computer Design, who are also programmers will surely find this book useful.
You can buy it online here >>>>
The Architecture of Computer Hardware, Systems Software, and Networking: An Information Technology Approach 5th Edition
Author: Irv Englander
Publication Date: February 18, 2014
Pages: 704
Written by Irv Englander, this book educates readers with the basic principles of computer system architecture and organization in the context of the current technological landscape.
We recommend this book because of it’s unique approach, where it relates to computer systems as well as all kinds of business systems, from entrepreneurial to small business, networked, distributed, and more. This helps the reader understand how, where, and why the concepts they are taught are used in real-life situations.
Many real-life case studies are included within the book to further illustrate this point.
You can buy it online here >>>>
This marks the end of the Top Picks in Computer Architecture Books Article. Any suggestions or contributions for CodersLegacy are more than welcome. Questions regarding the tutorial content can be asked in the comments section below.
