Microprocessor Microcontroller
Center of a computer system. Center of embedded system.
Memory and I/O components are
Memory and I/O components are internal to it.
external to it.
Large Circuit Smaller Circuit
Not compatible with compact
Compatible with compact systems.
systems
Higher cost Lower Cost
High Power Consumption Low Power Consumption
Mostly don’t have power features Mostly have power features.
Mainly present in personal Mainly present in washing machines, music players,
computers. and embedded systems.
Less number of registers. More number of registers.
Follows Von Neumann model Follows Harvard architecture
Made on a silicon-based integrated
Byproduct microprocessors and peripherals.
chip.
RAM, ROM, and other peripherals
RAM, ROM, and other peripherals
are
are present.
absent.
Has an external bus to interface
Uses an internal controlling bus for communication.
with devices.
Has a high speed. Speed depends on the architecture.
Ideal for general purpose to handle Ideal for the specific applications.
more data.
Microprocessor Microcontroller
Complex and Expensive Simple and affordable
Requires more instructions Requires less instructions