Facts About Intel, AMD & Cyrix Microprocessors
A microprocessor is a series of transistors and other components placed on a silicon chip that controls the central processing functions of a computer or other device. The microprocessor is sometimes referred to as the central processing unit, or CPU. The microprocessor handles data, performs calculations, and controls other central functions without which the computer or device can't operate.
Other People Are Reading
-
First Microprocessor
-
Intel Corp. introduced the first commercial microprocessor in 1971. This microprocessor was called the Intel 4004 and contained 2,300 transistors. By comparison, the latest Intel microprocessors can have hundreds of millions. The microprocessor was 1/6-inch by 1/8-inch in size, and each circuit was 10 microns wide. A human hair is approximately 100 microns wide.
-
Cyrix Microprocessors
-
Cyrix was founded in 1988 to manufacture microprocessors and other components. National Semiconductor bought the company in 1997. Two years later, National Semiconductor sold the Cyrix microprocessors division to VIA Technologies, a company headquartered in Taiwan. VIA Technologies no longer uses the Cyrix brand name in its microprocessor business. Cyrix designed and manufactured 96 different microprocessors during its existence.
AMD Microprocessors
-
Advanced Micro Devices is a semiconductor company headquartered in California. The company manufactures microprocessors for desktop computers, notebooks and server workstations. The company's products include the AMD Opteron, the AMD Turon and the AMD Sempron microprocessor.
Moore's Law
-
Intel and AMD microprocessor design has generally followed Moore's law, which was posited by Gordon Moore, one of the co founders of Intel. Moore's law states that the amount of transistors on a microprocessor will double every two years. This has held true since the microprocessor was invented in 1971.
Next-Generation Microprocessor
-
Intel's next-generation microprocessor, currently in development, goes by the code name Tukwila. This microprocessor will have 2 billion transistors built into the chip.
Microprocessor Market Share
-
Intel Corporation is the dominant player in the microprocessor market, with a revenue market share of 80.6% in the second quarter of 2009.
Microprocessor Manufacturing
-
The latest manufacturing process for Intel and AMD microprocessors involves 45-nanometer technology. This refers to the size of the transistors on the microprocessor. To understand the scale, 30 million of these transistors can fit on the head of a pin.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit "athlon xp 2000+" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: rodrigo senna (Rodrigo Senna) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
