RISC-V: They Should Have Known Better
Summary
This article presents a highly critical view of RISC-V, arguing that its modular, optional extensions and fragmented encoding lead to poor performance characteristics for embedded and server workloads, while undermining portability and predictable software behavior. It attacks misa, Zicsr, and virtualization tradeoffs, arguing that the design compromises outweigh supposed openness. The piece serves as a provocative, in-depth analysis useful for readers evaluating ISA choices and hardware strategies for SMBs.