A First-Order Model to Assess Computer Architecture Sustainability

Sustainability in general and global warming in particular are grand societal challenges. Computer systems demand substantial materials and energy resources during production and usage. A key question is how computer architects can design sustainable computer systems. Given the inherent data uncertainty, this paper proposes a deliberately simple first-order model to assess computer architecture sustainability based on first principles. Several case studies illustrate the insight that the model provides as well as its broad applicability.