# Alpha 21068 chip
**Wikidata**: [Q99444260](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q99444260)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alpha-21068-chip

## Summary
The **Alpha 21068 chip** is a central processing unit (CPU) model developed by **Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)** as part of the Alpha microprocessor family. Released on **September 10, 1993**, it succeeded the **Alpha 21066 chip** and was followed by the **Alpha 21164 chip (EV5)**, serving as a transitional model in DEC's high-performance computing lineup.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
- **Release Date**: September 10, 1993
- **Predecessor**: Alpha 21066 chip
- **Successor**: Alpha 21164 chip (codenamed EV5)
- **Classification**: CPU model, subclass of central processing unit (CPU)
- **Role**: Executes instructions as a core computer component
- **Family**: Part of the Alpha microprocessor series

## FAQs

**What is the Alpha 21068 chip?**
The Alpha 21068 is a CPU model developed by Digital Equipment Corporation, released in 1993 as part of the Alpha microprocessor family. It served as an intermediate model between the Alpha 21066 and the Alpha 21164 (EV5).

**When was the Alpha 21068 chip released?**
The Alpha 21068 chip was officially released on **September 10, 1993**, succeeding the Alpha 21066.

**What came before and after the Alpha 21068 chip?**
The Alpha 21068 was preceded by the **Alpha 21066** and followed by the **Alpha 21164 (EV5)**, marking a key transition in DEC's high-performance CPU development.

**Who manufactured the Alpha 21068 chip?**
The chip was manufactured by **Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)**, a major player in the computing industry during the 1990s.

## Why It Matters
The Alpha 21068 chip represents a critical step in the evolution of DEC's Alpha microprocessor architecture, bridging early models like the 21066 with the more advanced 21164 (EV5). As part of DEC's high-performance computing efforts, it contributed to the development of faster, more efficient CPUs that influenced later generations of processors. Its role in the Alpha series highlights DEC's innovation in RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture, which competed with other major CPU designs of the era.

## Notable For
- **Transitional Role**: Served as a bridge between the Alpha 21066 and the more advanced Alpha 21164 (EV5).
- **High-Performance Computing**: Part of DEC's Alpha series, known for its speed and efficiency in scientific and enterprise applications.
- **Manufacturer Legacy**: Developed by Digital Equipment Corporation, a key player in the computing industry during the 1990s.

## Body

### **Overview and Classification**
The **Alpha 21068 chip** is a **central processing unit (CPU) model** designed by **Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)**. It belongs to the **Alpha microprocessor family**, a series of high-performance RISC-based processors developed by DEC in the 1990s. As a **subclass of central processing units**, its primary function is executing instructions, making it a core component in computing systems.

### **Development Timeline**
- **Release Date**: The Alpha 21068 was introduced on **September 10, 1993**.
- **Predecessor**: It followed the **Alpha 21066 chip**, which was also released in 1993.
- **Successor**: The chip was succeeded by the **Alpha 21164 (EV5)**, a more advanced microprocessor in the Alpha series.

### **Technical and Historical Context**
The Alpha 21068 was part of DEC's strategy to push the boundaries of CPU performance. The **Alpha series** was known for its **high clock speeds and efficient instruction execution**, competing with other major architectures like Intel's x86 and IBM's PowerPC.

While specific technical specifications (e.g., clock speed, transistor count) are not provided in the source material, its position between the **21066 and 21164** suggests it played a role in refining DEC's RISC-based designs before the more widely recognized **EV5 (21164)**.

### **Manufacturer and Industry Impact**
- **Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)**: A leading computer company in the 1980s and 1990s, DEC was a pioneer in minicomputers and high-performance workstations. The Alpha series was one of its flagship products before the company's acquisition by Compaq in 1998.
- **Legacy**: The Alpha 21068 contributed to the broader **Alpha architecture**, which influenced later CPU designs and was eventually acquired by Intel.

### **Related Models in the Alpha Series**
- **Alpha 21066**: The immediate predecessor, released in the same year (1993).
- **Alpha 21164 (EV5)**: The successor, known for its advanced performance and codename "EV5."

### **Role in Computing History**
The Alpha 21068, while not as widely documented as other models, represents a key **transitional step** in DEC's microprocessor development. Its existence highlights the rapid iteration in CPU design during the 1990s, where companies like DEC competed to deliver faster and more efficient processors for scientific, engineering, and enterprise applications.