Intel 80486 (CloudMonk.io)

Intel 80486

Introduced by Intel in 1989, the Intel 80486 (or simply 486) is a 32-bit microprocessor operating at clock speeds up to 100 MHz. Serving as an advancement over its predecessor, the Intel 80386, the 80486 introduced several enhancements, including an integrated floating-point unit (FPU), built-in cache memory, and improved pipelining. These improvements resulted in significant performance gains, making the 80486 suitable for a wide range of applications, including personal computers, workstations, and servers. The 80486's robust performance and compatibility with existing software contributed to its widespread adoption, solidifying Intel's dominance in the microprocessor market during the early 1990s. Despite eventually being surpassed by newer architectures, the 80486's legacy continues in legacy systems, industrial control, and retro computing projects.