{"id":7491,"date":"2013-05-30T19:14:37","date_gmt":"2013-05-30T19:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/von-neumann-bottleneck\/"},"modified":"2024-05-21T13:24:13","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T13:24:13","slug":"von-neumann-bottleneck","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/14630\/von-neumann-bottleneck","title":{"rendered":"Von Neumann Bottleneck (VNB)"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Von Neumann bottleneck definition refers to when the bandwidth between the central processing unit<\/a> (CPU) and Random-Access Memory<\/a> (RAM) is much lower than the speed at which a typical CPU can process data<\/a> internally. Therefore, the CPU is idle for a certain amount of time while memory<\/a> is accessed.<\/p>\n For instance, if you are an email hosting<\/a> provider, adding more CPUs will not help when you are still limited by how quickly you can retrieve email<\/a> from storage.<\/p>\n The VNB is named after John Von Neumann, a 20th-century mathematician, scientist, and computer science pioneer who was also involved in the Manhattan Project.<\/p>\n Part of the basis for the VNB is the Von Neumann architecture<\/a>, in which a computer<\/a> stores programming instructions along with actual data, versus a Harvard architecture<\/a>, where these two kinds of memory are stored separately. These types of setups became necessary as simpler, preprogrammed machines gave way to newer computers requiring better ways to control programming and information data.<\/p>\n The Von Neumann bottleneck dates back to the 1940s and 1950s when John Von Neumann and his team pioneered computer concepts. Prior to this, most computers were designed for specific tasks and could not be easily reprogrammed.<\/p>\n The stored-program concept altered everything. It meant that computer instructions were stored in the same memory as data, giving computers greater flexibility. Von Neumann designed the Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer<\/a> (EDVAC), which influenced modern computers.<\/p>\n As computers became faster, the separation of the CPU and memory, which was linked by a data bus<\/a> with limited bandwidth<\/a>, became an issue. The CPU could process data faster than it could be transferred from memory, resulting in the Von Neumann bottleneck. This has been a major challenge in computer design, prompting research into improved data transfer and system efficiency.<\/p>\n John Von Neumann was a Hungarian-born American mathematician who, by his mid-twenties, was one of the world’s foremost mathematicians.<\/p>\n Von Neumann’s work influenced quantum<\/a> theory, automata<\/a> theory, economics, and defense planning. He pioneered game theory<\/a> and was one of the conceptual inventors of the stored-program digital<\/a> computer (Von Neumann architecture).<\/p>\n His work with David Hilbert led to his book “The Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics”, which reconciled the contradictory quantum mechanical formulations of Erwin Schr\u00f6dinger<\/a> and Werner Heisenberg. He also produced a succession of pivotal papers in logic, set theory, group theory, ergodic theory, and operator theory.<\/p>\n During World War II, Von Neumann played a critical role in the Manhattan Project, contributing his expertise to the development of nuclear weapons. His work in defense planning and his strategic thinking significantly influenced military tactics and policies during and after the war.<\/p>\n The VNB is significant because it limits how quickly computers can operate. As processor speeds have increased, the gap between CPU and memory speeds has widened, exacerbating the bottleneck.<\/p>\n Understanding the VNB is crucial for several reasons.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n
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History of Von Neumann Bottleneck<\/span><\/h2>\n
Who is John Von Neumann?<\/h3>\n
Significance of the Von Neumann Bottleneck<\/span><\/h2>\n