What is the best reference book for computer architecture?

Answer by  sanityrose (2664)

There are actually two great reference books for computer architecture (both giving insight on all things related as well). "Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for Performance" and "Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, Second Edition" are both available online and both can be found in ebook, pdf, and audio book formats.

Answer by  carrotpatch16 (24)

Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach is a good book for this topic. It's a bit more high level in terms of understanding, but if you have background knowledge, this would be the way to go.

Answer by  shilquen (88)

Computer Organization and Design the Hardware/Software Interface by John Hennessey and David Anderson,(4th Ed.) is highly recommended, generally being placed in the same league as Kernighan's book on the C programming language. Historical perspectives lay an excellent foundation to clear explanations of contemporary architecture and a real world computing section is included in the book.