80386DX

The Intel 80386DX, often shortened to 386DX, is a 32-bit microprocessor that was introduced by Intel in 1985. It was a significant advancement over its 16-bit predecessors, offering a dramatically increased processing power and the ability to address a much larger amount of memory. The "DX" designation distinguished it from the later and less capable 80386SX, which had a 16-bit external data bus.

Key features of the 80386DX included its full 32-bit architecture, supporting 32-bit registers and a 32-bit memory address space. This allowed it to directly access up to 4 gigabytes of RAM, a substantial increase from the 1 megabyte limit of the 80286. It also introduced sophisticated memory management capabilities, including paging, which enabled features like protected mode multitasking and virtual memory. This made it possible for multiple programs to run concurrently and efficiently, laying the groundwork for modern operating systems like Windows and OS/2.

The 80386DX was available in various clock speeds, starting at 16 MHz and later reaching 33 MHz. Its arrival marked a turning point in personal computing, enabling the development of more powerful software and graphical user interfaces. It became the processor of choice for high-end personal computers and workstations throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, and its architectural innovations influenced subsequent Intel processors for decades.