31 years ago, Intel released the first x86 compatible CPU and things really has been going fast(er and faster) since then. MaximumPC has written an article, made as a timeline, covering the evolution of the x86 processors. The very first x86 CPU, the 8086 was introduced in 1978 and consisted of 29 000 transistors. Four years later, in 1982, Intel released its 286 CPU, sporting 134 000 transistors made using a 1500nm process. Comparing this to the manufacturing process of today, today’s transistors are roughly 33 times smaller.
There are several interesting milestones pointed out, such as when AMD introduced its first x86 compatible CPU in 1983 known as Am286. But there article also covers CPU’s made by, the now almost forgotten, Cyrix and also Transmeta, which introduced its first x86 compatible CPU’s during the year 2000, called Crusoe and Efficeon.
Even if the article mostly covers Intel CPU’s, which is highly understandable, it ends with a CPU from VIA. Namely the VIA Nano, introduced as late as 2008.
The article is highly interesting for anyone who is interested in the CPU market and its history. It also features some fun quotations and facts, such as Bill Gates describing the 286 as a “brain dead chip”.
Read the whole article at MaximumPC.
