# Intel 80486

> family of 32-bit microprocessors introduced in 1989, including DX, SX and SL models

**Wikidata**: [Q213423](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q213423)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I486)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-80486

## Summary
The Intel 80486 is a family of 32-bit microprocessors introduced by Intel in 1989, available in DX, SX, and SL variants. It succeeded the Intel 80386 and preceded the original Pentium processors, representing a significant advancement in x86 architecture during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

## Key Facts
- Family of 32-bit microprocessors introduced in April 1989
- Includes three main models: DX, SX, and SL variants
- Preceded by the Intel 80386 (introduced in 1985)
- Succeeded by the original Pentium processors (Pentium 1)
- Developed and manufactured by Intel, with additional manufacturing by IBM and AMD
- Publication date: April 1989
- Discontinued on September 28, 2007
- Clock frequencies available: 25 MHz, 33 MHz, and 50 MHz (base clock frequency)
- Front-side bus speeds range from 16 MHz (minimum) to 50 MHz (maximum)
- Utilizes Socket 1, Socket 2, and Socket 3
- Fabrication methods include 800 nm, 1 µm, and 600 nm lithography processes
- Contains 3 processor cores
- Number of aliases: 15 (including 486, i486, Intel 486, 486 model, 80486, 486 CPU, 80486 model, 80486 CPU, Microprocesador 80486, Intel 80486DX, 486er, 486SX, Intel80486, Intel486, and إنتل ٨٠٤٨٦)
- Sitelink count: 32 across various platforms
- Available in 32 Wikipedia language editions
- Classified as a model series and integrated circuit model
- Subclass of Intel microprocessors
- FOLDOC ID: Intel+80486, i486
- Freebase ID: /m/03xfp
- MobyGames attribute ID: 67
- Open Library subject ID: intel_80486_(microprocessor)
- Netherlands Chemical Registry ID: ph117019
- Library of Congress authority ID: sh90005941
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007541835705171
- Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 33211059
- Wikipedia title: I486
- Commons category: Intel i486
- Logo available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Intel_i486_logo.svg
- Image available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Intel_A80486-25.jpg
- Related organizations: Intel (developer), AMD (manufacturer), and IBM (manufacturer)

## FAQs
1. **What is the Intel 80486?**
The Intel 80486 is a family of 32-bit microprocessors introduced by Intel in 1989, available in DX, SX, and SL models. It represented a significant advancement in x86 architecture during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

2. **When was the Intel 80486 introduced and discontinued?**
The Intel 80486 was introduced in April 1989 and discontinued on September 28, 2007, having been in production for nearly 18 years.

3. **Which companies manufactured the Intel 80486?**
While primarily developed and manufactured by Intel, the Intel 80486 was also manufactured by IBM and AMD, creating a diverse manufacturing ecosystem for this processor family.

4. **What are the technical specifications of the Intel 80486?**
The Intel 80486 operates at clock frequencies of 25 MHz, 33 MHz, and 50 MHz (base clock frequency), with front-side bus speeds ranging from 16 MHz to 50 MHz. It uses Socket 1, Socket 2, and Socket 3, and was fabricated using 800 nm, 1 µm, and 600 nm lithography processes.

5. **How many processor cores does the Intel 80486 have?**
The Intel 80486 contains 3 processor cores, making it one of the earlier multi-core processors in the x86 family.

6. **What are the main models in the Intel 80486 family?**
The Intel 80486 family includes three main models: DX, SX, and SL variants, each targeting different market segments and performance requirements.

7. **Which processors preceded and succeeded the Intel 80486?**
The Intel 80486 was preceded by the Intel 80386 (introduced in 1985) and succeeded by the original Pentium processors (Pentium 1).

8. **In how many languages is the Intel 80486 documented?**
The Intel 80486 is documented in 32 different Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its global significance and impact.

9. **What was the significance of the Intel 80486 in the computing industry?**
The Intel 80486 marked a significant evolution in personal computing performance, introducing enhanced instruction execution and built-in cache memory. It played a crucial role in the transition from 16-bit to 32-bit computing architectures during the early 1990s.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 80486 represents a pivotal advancement in microprocessor technology, bridging the gap between early 32-bit computing and the multimedia-capable systems of the 1990s. By introducing integrated floating-point units and larger caches, it dramatically improved performance over its predecessor, the 80386, enabling more complex applications and graphical user interfaces. The 80486 family's longevity and diverse model variants made it the cornerstone of business and personal computing for nearly two decades, establishing Intel's dominance in the x86 processor market and setting the stage for future innovations like the Pentium series. Its compatibility across multiple manufacturers (Intel, IBM, AMD) created a robust ecosystem that accelerated PC adoption globally, while its role in enabling early multitasking and graphical computing laid the foundation for modern computing experiences.

## Notable For
- Being the first Intel x86 processor to include a built-in floating-point unit, eliminating the need for separate math coprocessors in most applications
- Introducing an 8KB on-chip cache, significantly improving memory access times over previous generations
- Supporting clock speeds up to 50 MHz, representing a substantial performance leap from earlier processors
- Utilizing multiple lithography processes (800nm, 1µm, and 600nm), showcasing Intel's manufacturing advancement during its production lifespan
- Having one of the longest production runs in Intel's history, from 1989 to 2007
- Supporting three different socket types (Socket 1, Socket 2, and Socket 3), demonstrating its adaptability to various motherboard designs
- Being manufactured by three major companies (Intel, IBM, and AMD), creating unprecedented manufacturing diversity for an Intel processor
- Featuring three processor cores in a single package, an early example of multi-core technology in the x86 architecture
- Documented in 32 different Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its global impact and significance

## Body
### Introduction and Overview
The Intel 80486 is a family of 32-bit microprocessors introduced by Intel in April 1989, representing a significant evolution from its predecessor, the Intel 80386. The family consists of three main models: DX, SX, and SL variants, each targeting different market segments and performance requirements. These processors succeeded the Intel 80386 (introduced in 1985) and preceded the original Pentium processors, making them a cornerstone of computing during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

### Technical Specifications
The Intel 80486 processors operate at clock frequencies of 25 MHz, 33 MHz, and 50 MHz (base clock frequency), with front-side bus speeds ranging from 16 MHz (minimum) to 50 MHz (maximum). They utilize Socket 1, Socket 2, and Socket 3 for physical connections to motherboards. The fabrication processes include 800 nm, 1 µm, and 600 nm lithography processes, showcasing Intel's manufacturing advancements during the nearly two-decade production span of these processors. Each processor contains 3 processor cores, representing an early implementation of multi-core technology in the x86 architecture.

### Models and Variants
The Intel 80486 family includes several notable models and variants:
- Intel 80486DX2: A 32-bit microprocessor model released in 1992
- Intel 80486 OverDrive: A family of 32-bit microprocessors designed as upgrade options
- Intel DX4: A 32-bit microprocessor model released in 1994
- Intel 80486SX: A 32-bit microprocessor model released in 1991

These variants allowed Intel to address different market segments, from budget-oriented systems (SX) to high-performance workstations (DX and DX2), and included special upgrade models (OverDrive and DX4) for existing systems.

### Manufacturing and Distribution
While primarily developed and manufactured by Intel, the Intel 80486 was also manufactured by IBM and AMD, creating a diverse manufacturing ecosystem. This multi-manufacturer approach helped meet global demand and accelerate adoption across different markets. The processors were produced from April 1989 until September 28, 2007, giving them one of the longest production runs in Intel's history.

### Documentation and Recognition
The Intel 80486 is extensively documented across multiple platforms and languages. It has 32 sitelinks across various platforms and is documented in 32 different Wikipedia language editions. Its documentation includes:
- Wikipedia title: I486
- Commons category: Intel i486
- FOLDOC ID: Intel+80486, i486
- Freebase ID: /m/03xfp
- MobyGames attribute ID: 67
- Open Library subject ID: intel_80486_(microprocessor)
- Netherlands Chemical Registry ID: ph117019
- Library of Congress authority ID: sh90005941
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007541835705171
- Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 33211059

### Visual Identity
The Intel 80486 has a distinct visual identity with its official logo available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Intel_i486_logo.svg. An image of the processor is available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Intel_A80486-25.jpg, providing a visual reference for this historically significant microprocessor.

### Naming and Aliases
The Intel 80486 is known by numerous aliases across different regions and contexts, including: 486, i486, Intel 486, 486 model, 80486, 486 CPU, 80486 model, 80486 CPU, Microprocesador 80486, Intel 80486DX, 486er, 486SX, Intel80486, Intel486, and إنتل ٨٠٤٨٦. This variety of names reflects its global adoption and recognition in the computing industry.

### Related Organizations and Industry Context
The Intel 80486 is closely associated with several key organizations in the computing industry:
- Intel: The developer and primary manufacturer of the 80486 family
- AMD: An American multinational semiconductor company that also manufactured the 80486
- IBM: An American multinational technology corporation that manufactured certain 80486 variants

These organizations played crucial roles in the development, manufacturing, and adoption of the 80486 processors, contributing to the growth of the personal computer industry during the late 1980s and 1990s.

### Market Impact and Historical Significance
The Intel 80486 family had a profound impact on the computing industry. By introducing enhanced instruction execution and built-in cache memory, it dramatically improved performance over its predecessor, the 80386. This enabled more complex applications and graphical user interfaces to run efficiently on personal computers. The family's longevity and diverse model variants made it the cornerstone of business and personal computing for nearly two decades, establishing Intel's dominance in the x86 processor market and setting the stage for future innovations like the Pentium series.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/quickreffam.htm#i486)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File