HISTORY OF INTEL PROCESSORS

1971: 4004 Microprocessors

Intel introduced the 4004 IN 1971. This breakthrough invention powered the Busicom calculator and paved the way for embedding intelligence in inanimate objects as well as the personal computer.



1972: 8008 Microprocessors

The 8008 was twice as powerful as the 4004.MARK-8 is being is considered as the first to use this Technology in 1974. The Mark-8 is known as one of the first computers for the home --one that by today's standards was difficult to build, maintain and operate.


1974: 8080 Microprocessors

The 8080 became the brains of the first personal computer--the Altair.Computer hobbyists could purchase a kit for the Altair for US$395. The manufacturer, MITS, expected to sell 200 systems a year. Within months, it sold tens of thousands, creating the first PC back orders in history. Bill Gates founded "Micro-Soft" developing software code for the Altair.


1978: 8086-8088 Microprocessors

They were served as the brain for IBM's new PC's. Initial IBM sales predictions for 5 years were 240,000 orders - instead over 3 million were sold. This success propelled Intel into the ranks of the Fortune 500, and Fortune magazine named the company one of the "Business Triumphs of the Seventies."



1982: 286 Microprocessors

The 286, was the first Intel processor that could run all the software written for its predecessor. It was a remarkable invention and remains a hallmark of Intel's family of microprocessors. Within 6 years of it release, there were an estimated 15 million 286-based personal computers installed around the world.


1985: INTEL 386 Microprocessors
It was Multitasking and could run more than one program at the same time. The Intel 386TM microprocessor featured 275,000 transistors--more than 100 times as many as the original 4004. It was a 32-bit chip.


1989: INTEL 486 DX CPU Microprocessors
It was a change from a command-level computer into point-and-click computing. The Intel 486TM processor was the first to offer a built-in math coprocessor, which speeds up computing because it offloads complex math functions from the central processor.


1993: Pentium Processors The Pentium processor enabled users to more easily incorporate "real world" data such as speech, sound, handwriting and photographic images. The name Pentium, mentioned in the comics and on television talk shows, became a household word soon after introduction.



1995: Pentium Pro Processors
It was to fuel 32-bit server and workstation applications, enabling fast computer-aided design, mechanical engineering and scientific computation. Each Pentium Pro processor is packaged together with a second speed-enhancing cache memory chip. The powerful Pentium Pro processor consisted 5.5 million transistors.


1997: Pentium II Processors
It consists of 7.5 million-transistor and incorporates Intel MMXTM technology, which is designed specifically to process video, audio and graphics data efficiently. It was introduced in innovative Single Edge Contact (S.E.C) Cartridge that also incorporated a high-speed cache memory chip.


1999: Celeron Processors
The Intel Celeron processor is designed for the value PC market segment. It provides consumers great performance at an exceptional value, and it delivers excellent performance for uses such as gaming and educational software.


1999: Pentium III Processors
The Pentium III processor included 70 new instructions--Internet Streaming SIMD extensions-- that dramatically enhance the performance of advanced imaging, 3-D, streaming audio, video and speech recognition applications. It was designed to significantly enhance Internet experiences, allowing users to do such things as browse through realistic online museums and stores and download high-quality video. The processor incorporates 9.5 million transistors, and was introduced using 0.25-micron technology.


2000: Pentium 4 Processors

The users of these PCs can create professional-quality movies; deliver TV-like video via the Internet; communicate with real-time video and voice; render 3D graphics in real time; quickly encode music for MP3 players; and simultaneously run several multimedia applications while connected to the Internet. The processor debuted with 42 million transistors and circuit lines of 0.18 microns.