8/11/2021 Difference between Von Neumann and Harvard Architecture - GeeksforGeeks

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Difference between Von Neumann and

Harvard Architecture
Difficulty Level :
Basic ● Last Updated :
04 Aug, 2021

Von Neumann Architecture : 

Von Neumann Architecture is a digital computer architecture whose design is based on

the concept of stored program computers where program data and instruction data are

stored in the same memor y. This architecture was designed by the famous mathematician

and physicist John Von Neumann in 1945. 

Har vard Architecture : 

Har vard Architecture is the digital computer architecture whose design is based on the

concept where there are separate storage and separate buses (signal path) for

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instruction and data. It was basically developed to overcome the bottleneck of Von

Neumann Architecture. 

Difference between Von Neumann and Har vard Architecture : 

VON NEUMANN ARCHITECTURE HARVARD ARCHITECTURE

It is ancient computer architecture based on It is modern computer architecture based

stored program computer concept. on Har vard Mark I relay based model.

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VON NEUMANN ARCHITECTURE HARVARD ARCHITECTURE

Same physical memor y address is used for Separate physical memor y address is used

instructions and data. for instructions and data.

There is common bus for data and Separate buses are used for transferring

instruction transfer. data and instruction.

Two clock cycles are required to execute An instruction is executed in a single cycle.

single instruction.

It is cheaper in cost. It is costly than Von Neumann Architecture.

CPU can not access instructions and CPU can access instructions and read/write

read/write at the same time. at the same time.

It is used in personal computers and small It is used in micro controllers and signal

computers. processing.

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