[[File:Growth in processor performance, 1978–2010.png|thumb|Growth in processor performance (as measured by benchmarks),{{sfn|Hennessy |Patterson|2011|pp=41-42}} 1978–2010]]
Computer architecture requiresinvolves prioritizingbalancing between differentvarious goals, such as cost, speed, availability, and energy efficiency. The designerDesigners must have a goodthorough graspunderstanding of the hardware requirements and many differentdiverse aspects of computing, ranging from [[compiler]]s to integrated[[Integrated circuit design]]. {{sfn|Hennessy |Patterson|2011|p=11}} Cost has also become a significant constraint for manufacturers seeking to sell their products for less money than competitors offering a very similar hardware component. Profit margins have also been reduced.{{sfn|Hennessy |Patterson|2011|pp=27-28, 32}} Even when the performance is not increasing, the cost of components has been dropping over time due to improved manufacturing techniques that have fewer components rejected at [[quality assurance]] stage.{{sfn|Hennessy |Patterson|2011|p=27}}
