# Intel 4040

> 4-bit microprocessor introduced in 1974 by Intel

**Wikidata**: [Q330255](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q330255)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4040)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-4040

## Summary
The Intel 4040 is a 4-bit microprocessor introduced by Intel in 1974. It is an integrated circuit model that succeeded the Intel 4004 and was itself succeeded by the 8-bit Intel 8080. The processor was discontinued in 1981.

## Key Facts
- **Product Type:** 4-bit central processing unit (integrated circuit model).
- **Manufacturer:** Intel (American multinational technology company).
- **Release Date:** Introduced in 1974.
- **Discontinuation Date:** 1981.
- **Predecessor:** Intel 4004 (a 4-bit CPU released on November 15, 1971).
- **Successor:** Intel 8080 (an 8-bit microprocessor).
- **Clock Speed:** Ranges from a minimum of 500 kHz to a maximum of 740 kHz.
- **Parent Classification:** Subclass of Intel microprocessor.
- **Aliases:** Also known as the 4040 microprocessor, I4040, and 4040.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Intel 4040 released and discontinued?
A: The Intel 4040 was introduced in 1974 and was discontinued in 1981.

### Q: What is the difference between the Intel 4040 and the Intel 4004?
A: Both are 4-bit central processing units manufactured by Intel, but the Intel 4040 (released 1974) is the successor to the Intel 4004 (released 1971).

### Q: What processor came after the Intel 4040?
A: The Intel 4040 was followed by the Intel 8080, which is an 8-bit microprocessor.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 4040 represents a specific evolutionary step in the history of computing hardware. As a 4-bit microprocessor released by Intel in 1974, it bridges the gap between the earliest days of the microprocessor era—marked by the Intel 4004 in 1971—and the widespread adoption of more powerful 8-bit computing architectures that followed with the Intel 8080. While the 4004 is often cited as one of the first microprocessors, the 4040 served as the subsequent iteration in Intel's 4-bit lineage.

Its existence highlights the rapid pace of semiconductor development during the 1970s. With a lifespan of approximately seven years (1974–1981) and clock speeds reaching up to 740 kHz, the chip was a significant component of Intel's early hardware offerings before the industry shifted predominantly toward 8-bit and larger architectures. It stands as a distinct model within the "Intel microprocessor" family, illustrating the transition from the initial 4004 design to the more robust 8080.

## Notable For
- Being the direct successor to the Intel 4004, one of the earliest commercial microprocessors.
- Operating as a 4-bit CPU, distinguishing it from the 8-bit Intel 8080 that followed it.
- Maintaining a market presence from 1974 until its discontinuation in 1981.
- Operating at a maximum clock frequency of 740 kHz.
- Being a member of the Intel microprocessor family produced by the American multinational technology company Intel.

## Body
### Overview and Classification
The Intel 4040 is an integrated circuit model functioning as a 4-bit microprocessor. It is a subclass of the broader category of Intel microprocessors. The device is manufactured by Intel, an American multinational technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, United States.

### Technical Specifications
The processor operates using a clock frequency mechanism. The base clock frequency (minimum) is 500 kilohertz, while the boost clock frequency (maximum) is 740 kilohertz. The physical design and connectivity of the chip are documented in specific schematics and pinout diagrams associated with the model.

### Product Lifecycle
The Intel 4040 was officially introduced in 1974. It was positioned as the follow-up to the Intel 4004, a 4-bit central processing unit created on November 15, 1971. The 4040 was eventually succeeded by the Intel 8080, which utilized an 8-bit architecture. The Intel 4040 was officially discontinued in 1981.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. [Source](http://www.cpushack.net/life-cycle-of-cpu.html)