Register memory architecture

In computer engineering a register memory architecture allows operations to be performed on (or from) memory, as well as registers. If the architecture allows all operands to be in memory or in registers, or in combinations, it is called a "register plus memory" architecture.

In a register memory approach one of the operands for ADD operation may be in memory, while the other is in a register. This differs from a load/store architecture (used by RISC designs such as MIPS) in which both operands for an ADD operation must be in registers before the ADD.

Examples of register memory architecture are IBM System/360 and its successors and Intel x86. Examples of register plus memory architecture are VAX and the Motorola 68000 family.