A device which comprises an array of resistive processing unit (RPU) cells, first control lines extending in a first direction across the array of RPU cells, and second control lines extending in a second direction across the array of RPU cells. Peripheral circuitry comprising readout circuitry is coupled to the first and second control lines. A control system generates control signals to control the peripheral circuitry to perform a first operation and a second operation on the array of RPU cells. The control signals include a first configuration control signal to configure the readout circuitry to have a first hardware configuration when the first operation is performed on the array of RPU cells, and a second configuration control signal to configure the readout circuitry to have a second hardware configuration, which is different from the first hardware configuration, when the second operation is performed on the array of RPU cells.