Enter the instruction count and the execution time into the Calculator. The calculator will evaluate the Million Instructions Per Second. 

Million Instructions Per Second Formula

MIPS = IC / (ET*10^6)

Variables:

  • MIPS is the Million Instructions Per Second (mil-ins/s)
  • IC (instructions) is the instruction count
  • ET (seconds) is the execution time

To calculate Million Instructions Per Second, divide the instruction count by the product of the execution time, times 10 to the power of 6.

How to Calculate Million Instructions Per Second?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Million Instructions Per Second.


  1. First, determine the instruction count. 
  2. Next, determine the execution time. 
  3. Next, gather the formula from above = MIPS = IC / (ET*10^6).
  4. Finally, calculate the Million Instructions Per Second.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

instruction count = 1200

execution time = 5

FAQ

What is MIPS and why is it important in computing?

MIPS stands for Million Instructions Per Second. It is a measure of the computational speed of a computer or processor, indicating how many millions of instructions it can process in one second. MIPS is important because it gives a basic indication of the processor’s speed and efficiency, helping in comparing the performance of different processors.

How does instruction count affect computational performance?

The instruction count refers to the total number of instructions that a program sends to the CPU for execution. A higher instruction count can indicate more complex computing tasks. However, the efficiency of the instruction execution also plays a crucial role in overall computational performance, not just the instruction count alone.

Can execution time vary for the same task on different processors?

Yes, execution time can vary significantly for the same task on different processors due to various factors such as the processor’s clock speed, architecture, and the efficiency of the instruction set. Different processors may execute the same set of instructions at different speeds, affecting the overall execution time of a task.

Is MIPS the only metric to measure the performance of a processor?

No, MIPS is just one of many metrics used to measure the performance of a processor. Other metrics include FLOPS (Floating Point Operations Per Second), clock speed, cache size, core count, and power efficiency. Each metric offers insights into different aspects of processor performance, and the importance of each can vary depending on the specific use case.