Am486

Am486

Am486DX2-66 microprocessor The Am486 is a microprocessor developed by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) as a successor to the Am386. It was introduced in 1993 and was designed to be compatible with Intel's 80486 microprocessor. The Am486 offered improved performance and added features compared to its predecessor, making it a popular choice for personal computers and embedded systems.

History

The development of the Am486 began in the late 1980s when AMD recognized the growing demand for a compatible alternative to Intel's 80486. AMD had previously successfully released the Am386, which was a clone of Intel's 80386 microprocessor. Building on this success, AMD aimed to create a more advanced and powerful processor with the Am486.

The Am486 was released in various versions, including the DX2, DX4, and SX2 models. These versions offered different clock speeds and cache sizes to cater to different market needs. The DX2-66, with a clock speed of 66 MHz, was particularly popular due to its competitive performance and affordability.

Features

The Am486 incorporated several features that set it apart from its predecessor and made it a competitive choice in the market. Some of its notable features include:

Clock Speed

The Am486 was available in different clock speeds, ranging from 25 MHz to 120 MHz. This allowed users to choose a processor that met their specific performance requirements.

Cache Memory

The Am486 featured an integrated cache memory, which helped improve overall system performance by reducing memory access times. The cache sizes varied depending on the specific model, with the DX2-66 typically having 8 KB of cache.

Instruction Set Compatibility

The Am486 was designed to be fully compatible with Intel's 80486 instruction set. This ensured that software written for the Intel processor could run seamlessly on the Am486 without any modifications.

Impact and Legacy

The Am486 played a significant role in the microprocessor market during the 1990s. It provided a cost-effective alternative to Intel's 80486, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers and businesses. The Am486 also found its way into embedded systems, where its compatibility and performance made it a reliable choice.

The success of the Am486 paved the way for future generations of AMD processors, such as the Am5x86 and the K5 series. These processors further improved performance and introduced new features, solidifying AMD's position as a major player in the microprocessor industry.

See Also

• Am386
• Intel 80486