Intel and the “x86” Microprocessor Family

More is never enough. As cheaper memory encouraged bigger programs, 8 bits became insufficient.

Intel developed the 16-bit 8086 as a stopgap while it worked on a more sophisticated chip. But after IBM adopted the 8088, a low-cost version of the 8086, the stopgap became an industry standard.

Intel’s 80386 later extended the architecture to 32 bits.

Generations of the Intel x86 Family

Shown below are generations of Intel microprocessors derived from the original 8086 architecture. As the number of bits in the CPU increased from 16 to 32 to 64, the number of input/output and power supply leads and the power consumption of the chip increased resulting in significant increases in the size and complexity of the packages.

The Microprocessor Wars

Intel’s success inspired competitors. AMD, NEC, and Nexgen pursued variants of Intel’s x86 devices. Others, including Motorola, National, and Zilog, introduced competing architectures. Seeking higher performance and lower cost, large workstation manufacturers developed their own RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) chips.

Ultimately, the x86 architecture dominated the PC market.