i486DX

The i486DX, often referred to as the 486DX, was a groundbreaking 32-bit microprocessor released by Intel in April 1989. It was the successor to the i386 and brought significant improvements in performance and functionality. A key feature of the i486DX was the integration of a floating-point unit (FPU) directly onto the same die as the central processing unit (CPU). This eliminated the need for a separate math coprocessor, which had been a common requirement for demanding applications in previous generations, thereby reducing cost and increasing speed for scientific and engineering software.

Another major advancement was the inclusion of an on-chip cache memory. The i486DX featured an 8 KB unified cache, which stored frequently accessed instructions and data, leading to faster retrieval and a notable boost in overall system responsiveness. It also introduced a burst mode for memory transfers, allowing for more efficient data fetching from RAM. The i486DX was available in various clock speeds, starting at 25 MHz and later reaching 33 MHz and 50 MHz. Its enhanced performance made it a dominant force in the personal computer market throughout the early 1990s, powering a new generation of faster and more capable desktop machines.