Cyrix Cx486SLC
Cyrix Cx486SLC Microprocessor
General information
LaunchedMay 1992
Marketed byCyrix, Texas Instruments
Designed byCyrix
Common manufacturer(s)
    • Texas Instruments
    • SGS-Thomson
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate20 MHz to 50 MHz
FSB speeds20 MHz to 40 MHz
Data width16
Address width24
Cache
L1 cache
  • 1 KB (Cx486)
  • 8 KB (TI486SXLC)
Architecture and classification
ApplicationDesktop
Instruction setIA-32/x86
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 1
Co-processor287, 387SX
History
Successor(s)Cyrix Cx486

The Cyrix Cx486SLC is a x86 microprocessor that was developed by Cyrix. It was one of Cyrix's first CPU offerings, released after years of selling math coprocessors that competed with Intel's units and offered better performance at a comparable or lower price. It was announced in March of 1992,[1] and released 2 months later in May, with a price of $119.[2] It was priced competitively against the Intel 486SX, causing Intel to lower the price of their chip from $286 to $119 in just days.[3]

Specifications

The 486SLC is based on the i386SX bus, and was intended as an entry-level chip to compete with the Intel 386SX and 486SX. SGS-Thomson and Texas Instruments manufactured the 486SLC for Cyrix.[4][5] Texas Instruments also sold it under its own name as TX486SLC. Later, Texas Instruments also released their own version of the chip, the TI486SXLC which featured 8KB internal cache vs 1KB in the original Cyrix design.[6] These chips went under the name Potomac, and Cyrix would receive full royalties for them.[7] The similarly named IBM 486SLC, 486SLC2, 486SLC3 (16-bit external bus version of IBM 486DLC aka Blue Lightning) and IBM 386SLC are often confused with the Cyrix chips, but are not related and instead based on an Intel CPU core.

Introduced in May 1992, like the later and more famous Cyrix Cx5x86 it was a hybrid CPU, incorporating features of a new CPU (in this case the Intel 80486) while having a pin out similar to the existing 386SX, enabling existing board designs to be easily modified for the new chip.[8] It ran at speeds of 20, 25, 33, and 40 MHz, although it had difficulty running reliably at 40 MHz using some operating systems. In December 1992 Cyrix also released the Cyrix Cx486SLC/e (25, 33 MHz) which offered power management, and a low voltage laptop version, the 3.3v Cyrix Cx486SLC/e-V (20, 25 MHz). In December 1993 Cyrix released a clock doubled version (25/50 MHz) cx486SLC2,[9] as well as a clip-on upgrade for 386SX systems, the cx486SRx2 (16/33, 20/40 & 25/50 MHz).[10]

The 486SLC can be described as a 386SX with the 486 instruction set and 1K of onboard L1 cache added. Unfortunately it inherited the 386SX's 24-bit address bus (16 MB max. DRAM), and 16-bit datapath which limited its memory bandwidth. Like the 386 and 486SX, it had no on-board math coprocessor, but unlike the 486SX, it could make use of an Intel 287, 387SX or compatible x87 coprocessor. Due to the limitations of the 386SX's bus and its smaller L1 cache, its performance could not compete with the 486SX when the latter was running on a full 32-bit bus.[11]

The 486SLC was primarily used in very inexpensive low-end motherboards and PC clones. Because of its low power consumption, it also saw use in laptops.[12] The 486SLC was also available as a 32-bit version based on the i386DX bus, see 486DLC.

Versions

Cx486SLC/SLC2

The base 486SLC, which had speeds of 20, 25, 33, and 40 MHz with 1 KB of cache and a 16-bit bus. A later version, the 486SLC2, ran at 50 MHz.

Model Bus Speed Frequency Cache Voltage Notes
Cx486SLC-20 20 MHz 20 MHz 1 KB 5V 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC/E-V20 20 MHz 20 MHz 1 KB 3.3V Advanced power management, low voltage, 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC-25MP 25 MHz 25 MHz 1 KB 5V 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC/E-25-MP 25 MHz 25 MHz 1 KB 5V Advanced power management, 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC/E-25-QP 25 MHz 25 MHz 1 KB 5V Advanced power management, 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC/E-V25MP 25 MHz 25 MHz 1 KB 3.3V Advanced power management, low voltage, 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC-33MP 33 MHz 33 MHz 1 KB 5V 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC/E-33-MP 33 MHz 33 MHz 1 KB 3.3V Advanced power management, 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC/E-40-MP 40 MHz 40 MHz 1 KB 5V Advanced power management, 100-pin QFP package.
Cx486SLC2-50 25 MHz 50 MHz 1 KB 5V 100-pin QFP package.

TI486SLC

TI's rebranded version of the Cx486SLC.

TI 486SLC/486DLC Reference Guide
Model Bus Speed Frequency Cache Voltage Notes
TI486SLC/E 25 MHz 25 MHz 1 KB 5V Advanced power management, 100-pin QFP package.
TI486SLC/E-33PAF 33 MHz 33 MHz 1 KB 5V Advanced power management, 100-pin QFP package.
TI486SLC/E-V 25 MHz 25 MHz 1 KB 3V Advanced power management, low voltage, 100-pin QFP package.

TI486SXLC/SXLC2

The TI486SXLC/SXLC was Texas Instrument's version of the Cx486SLC. They had 8 KB of cache over the original 1 KB, a 32-bit internal data bus, and supported clock-doubling.

TI 486SXLC/486SXL Reference Guide
Model Bus Speed Frequency Cache Voltage Notes
TI486SXLC-V25-PJF 25 MHz 25 MHz 8 KB 3.3V Low power version of SXLC, 100-pin QFP for compatibility with 486SLC.
TI486SXLC-040-PJF 20-40 MHz† 40 MHz 8 KB 5V 100-pin QFP for compatibility with 486SLC.
TI486SXLC2-050-PJF 25 MHz 50 MHz 8 KB 5V 100-pin QFP for compatibility with 486SLC.
† - Can operate at nonclock-doubled 40 MHz or clock-doubled 20/40 MHz.

Cx486SRx2

Cx486DRx2/Cx486SRx2 Datasheet
Model Bus Speed Frequency Cache Voltage Notes
Cx486SRx2-25/50 25 MHz 50 MHz 1 KB 3.3V Clip-on upgrade version of the SLC, compatible with the 386SX-16, 20, or 25 MHz.

Intel v. Cyrix lawsuit

Before even announcing the chip in March of 1992, Intel filed a lawsuit against Cyrix for patent infringement. Prior to this, Cyrix asked for a declaratory judgement that would prevent Intel from suing Cyrix.[8] Texas Instruments joined the suit shortly after with an intervene, siding with Cyrix.[13]

Cyrix used SGS-Thomson as a second manufacturer of the chip, as the company had license to use Intel's patents. Intel however claimed the licence SGS-Thomson had was never intended to allow companies like Cyrix to circumvent Intel patents, which Intel stated was "patent laundering".[14]

The lawsuit, which concluded in 1994, stated:

Cyrix is entitled to judgment in its favor on its affirmative defenses of patent exhaustion and implied license based on the use or resale of its claim 1 microprocessors purchased from TI and ST.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "It's a 386 - no, it's a 486!". Computerworld. Vol. 26, No. 13. IDG Enterprise. 30 March 1992. p. 8. ISSN 0010-4841. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Cyrix-Intel market fight heats up with new chip". The Desert Sun. 31 March 1992. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Competition benefits consumers, Advancing technology produces good buys on computer chips". Argus-Leader. 16 April 1993. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  4. ^ "TEXAS "TO MAKE CYRIX Cx486" AS WELL AS SGS THOMSON". Tech Monitor. 31 March 1992. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  5. ^ Quinlan, Tom (18 May 1992). "TI licenses Cyrix 486SLC Technology". InfoWorld. Vol. 14, no. 20. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. p. 6. ISSN 0199-6649. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Features". TI486SXLC and TI486SXL Microprocessors Reference Guide (PDF). Texas Instruments. 1994. p. 1.2.
  7. ^ "COMPANY NEWS; TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INTRODUCES LINE OF 486 CHIPS". The New York Times. 8 October 1993. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b Quinlan, Tom (6 April 1992). "Cyrix gains customers for its 486 chip". InfoWorld. Vol. 14, No. 14. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. p. 29. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  9. ^ Polilli, Steve (15 November 1993). "Cyrix readies clock-doubled processor". InfoWorld. Vol. 15, No. 46. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. p. 38. ISSN 0199-6649. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Is the Cyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade Chip really that good? Just ask anybody". InfoWorld. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. 25 April 1994. p. 79. ISSN 0199-6649. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  11. ^ Barr, Christopher (July 1992). "Is the 486SLC a 386 or 486?". PC Mag. Vol. 11, No. 13. Ziff Davis, Inc. p. 40. ISSN 0888-8507. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Fast Inroads for Cyrix 486 Hybrid Chip". PC Mag. Vol. 11, no. 11. Ziff Davis, Inc. 16 June 1992. pp. 29, 32. ISSN 0888-8507. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  13. ^ "TI asks to intervene in Cyrix-Intel suit". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 3 June 1992. p. 37. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  14. ^ Pollack, Andrew (30 March 1992). "New Rival For Intel's Key Chip". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Cyrix Corp. v. Intel Corp., 846 F. Supp. 522 (E.D. Tex. 1994)". Justia. 21 January 1994. Archived from the original on 2015-10-02. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
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