Microprocessors and today's computer price wars: lower-cost chips raise compatibility questions. Here are some answers

Article Abstract:

Companies such as Advanced Micro Devices Inc, Cyrix Corp and Chips and Technologies Inc are competing with Intel Corp, which has dominated the market for microcomputer microprocessors. Intel's rivals say their chips are completely compatible with Intel's products and cost less. Some users are concerned, wanting to know if the new chips really are 100 percent compatible. According to Michael Slater, editor and publisher of The Microprocessor Report, users need not worry. Slater says there are some design differences, but so far as he is aware, the new chips do in fact measure up in terms of quality and compatibility. Choosing the appropriate microprocessor is a matter of getting the right level of performance at the right price. Popular chips include the following: 80386SX; 386SL; 386SLC; 386DX; 486SLC; 486SX; 486DX; and 486DX/2. Each is available in various speeds, measured in megahertz. Differences among chips are described and explained. For example, 80486SX microprocessors lack floating-point math units, which are incorporated into 486DX chips. Chips with an SL designation have built-in power management capabilities and are therefore suited for use in portable models that run on batteries. Competition among microprocessor manufacturers is forcing microcomputer prices down.

Electronic computers, Prepackaged software, Semiconductor industry, Purchasing, Computer industry, Microcomputers, Product information, Prices and rates, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., AMD, Buyers Guide, Price cutting, Purchases, Microcomputer, Competition, Chips and Technologies Inc., CHPS, Cyrix Corp.

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Introducing chips for the year 2000

Article Abstract:

Intel Corp presents the future technologies of chips and their affect on the future of computing at the 1990 PC Expo. Intel envisions semiconductor chips as consisting of 100 million transistors on a 1-inch square die by the year 2000. The original transistors measure about one inch each; the common 80836 chip has about 500,000 transistors. The number of transistors per chip grows steadily as it has since the integrated circuit's invention in the 1950s. Fitting transistors closer together means increased processor speed because the electrons travel shorter distances. Faster 'clocks' in computer chips leads to performance improvement because the number of instructions processed per second increases dramatically. Intel's executives believe these developments can lead to very powerful multiprocessor chips which permit the use of artificial intelligence and better user interfaces on microcomputers.

Innovations, Semiconductor chips, Integrated circuits, Forecasts and trends, Technological forecasting, Technological innovations, Processor speeds, column, Future Technologies, Future of Computing, Processor Speed, 1990 AD, PC Expo

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A plug-in upgrade chip that's packed with power

Article Abstract:

Intel Corp introduces two Overdrive microprocessors, which can be installed in 486-based microcomputers to improve performance. The overdrive chips, which double the chip's clock speed, are the first Intel products that will be sold in retail stores. An Overdrive chip for a 16 MHz or 20 MHz 486-based system is priced at $549, while a chip for a 25 MHz 486-based system is priced at $699. The upgrade microprocessors are not available for 286-based or 386-based systems. The Overdrive microprocessors will extend the life of a computer and allow users to have up-do-date equipment for a longer time. This might eventually cause a slowdown in computer purchasing, but there are still reasons buyers would choose a new computer over upgrading. New systems take advantage of all the latest technology, for instance, while upgrading will simply replace and improve the microprocessor.

Product introduction, Product Announcement, Marketing, Product life cycle, Retailing, Upgrading, Intel OverDrive (Microprocessor upgrade)

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