# Intel 80487SX

> floating-point unit for the Intel 80486SX series of microprocessors

**Wikidata**: [Q2534896](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2534896)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80487SX)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-80487sx

## Summary
The Intel 80487SX is a floating-point unit (FPU) designed specifically for the Intel 80486SX microprocessor series. It was manufactured by Intel, a leading American technology company, and operates using the x87 instruction set. The 80487SX enhanced the 80486SX's capabilities by accelerating floating-point arithmetic, which was crucial for scientific and engineering applications.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Intel, an American multinational technology company founded on July 18, 1968.
- **Instance of**: Floating-point unit, a coprocessor specialized for floating-point arithmetic.
- **Instruction set**: x87, a legacy instruction set architecture used for floating-point operations.
- **Aliases**: 487SX, i487SX, Intel 487, 80487SX, 80487, I487.
- **Wikipedia availability**: Available in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Russian.
- **Sitelink count**: 8, indicating its presence in search engine results.
- **Image**: Available on Wikimedia Commons, showing the 80487SX chip.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Intel 80487SX?
A: The Intel 80487SX was designed to enhance the floating-point arithmetic capabilities of the Intel 80486SX microprocessor, making it more efficient for scientific and engineering computations.

### Q: How does the 80487SX differ from other floating-point units?
A: The 80487SX was specifically optimized for the 80486SX series and used the x87 instruction set, which was a standard for floating-point operations at the time.

### Q: Is the 80487SX still relevant today?
A: While the 80487SX is a legacy component, its design principles influenced later floating-point units and remains historically significant in the evolution of microprocessor technology.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 80487SX played a crucial role in the early 1990s by addressing the computational limitations of the 80486SX microprocessor. As personal computers became more prevalent in scientific and engineering fields, the need for faster floating-point calculations grew. The 80487SX filled this gap by providing dedicated hardware acceleration, significantly improving performance in applications requiring complex mathematical operations. Its development marked an important milestone in the evolution of microprocessor technology, demonstrating Intel's commitment to advancing computational capabilities. While modern systems have largely replaced such dedicated coprocessors with integrated floating-point units, the 80487SX remains a notable example of early efforts to optimize performance for specific workloads.

## Notable For
- **Specialization**: The 80487SX was one of the first dedicated floating-point coprocessors designed for the 80486SX series, addressing a critical performance bottleneck.
- **Legacy Instruction Set**: It utilized the x87 instruction set, which became a standard for floating-point operations in x86 architecture.
- **Historical Significance**: The 80487SX was part of Intel's broader strategy to enhance the capabilities of its microprocessors, particularly for technical computing applications.
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Its Wikipedia page is available in multiple languages, reflecting its global relevance during its era.

## Body
### Overview
The Intel 80487SX was a floating-point unit designed to work in conjunction with the Intel 80486SX microprocessor. It was manufactured by Intel, a company known for its contributions to semiconductor technology. The 80487SX was part of Intel's efforts to improve the performance of personal computers in scientific and engineering applications.

### Technical Specifications
The 80487SX was based on the x87 instruction set, which was a legacy architecture for floating-point operations. It was optimized to work with the 80486SX series, providing significant speed improvements for floating-point calculations. The chip was available in various aliases, including 487SX, i487SX, and Intel 487, reflecting its role as a specialized component.

### Historical Context
The 80487SX was introduced during a period when personal computers were increasingly used for complex mathematical tasks. Its development was driven by the need for faster floating-point arithmetic, which was essential for applications in fields such as engineering, physics, and finance. The 80487SX's design principles influenced later developments in microprocessor technology.

### Availability and Documentation
The 80487SX's Wikipedia page is available in multiple languages, indicating its widespread interest and relevance. The chip's image is available on Wikimedia Commons, providing a visual reference for its design. The 80487SX has a sitelink count of 8, suggesting its presence in search engine results.

### Legacy and Relevance
While the 80487SX is no longer in widespread use, it remains a significant part of the history of microprocessor technology. Its development demonstrated Intel's ability to address specific performance bottlenecks, paving the way for more integrated solutions in later years. The 80487SX's use of the x87 instruction set continues to be relevant in discussions about the evolution of floating-point arithmetic in x86 architecture.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013