Term of the Moment
computer generations
Definition: PC CPU models
The brains of the PC is a central processing unit (CPU) made by Intel or AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). It stems from the Intel 8086 (x86) architecture in the IBM PC in 1981. Following is a brief history of PC CPUs, starting with the most current.
INTEL CORE: i3, i5, i7 and i9
Starting in 2008, Intel released the Core i5 and i7 series and the i3 two years later. In 2017, the first i9 was available. The Core "i" series superseded the Core Duo and Solo CPUs which were the first chips with the Core branding. Intel Xeon CPUs are high-end x86-based CPUs for servers and workstations. See Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Xeon, Core Duo and Core Solo.
INTEL PENTIUM: Pentium, Celeron and Xeon
In 1993, Intel introduced the Pentium family, and numerous models were developed. Pentium chips ranged from entry-level desktop machines (Celeron and Pentium) to high-end Xeon servers. In 2001, Intel introduced the Itanium, an entirely different CPU that also ran x86 applications. See Pentium, Celeron, Xeon, Itanium and PC operating environments.
AMD: Athlon, Duron, Sempron, Opteron, Phenom, Ryzen
Starting in 1994, AMD introduced its first Pentium-compatible CPU, the K5. It was followed by the K6 and then the Athlon line in 1999. The Duron was subsequently introduced for the value market to compete with Intel's Celeron, and Duron chips were superseded by the Sempron in 2004. In 2003, AMD debuted the Opteron, its first 64-bit CPU, which was later renamed Athlon 64. Phenom processors came out in 2008. In 2017, AMD began shipping its Ryzen line based on a new Zen architecture.
Earlier Intel and AMD CPUs
First used by Compaq in 1986, Intel's 386 introduced an enhanced architecture that was carried forth in all subsequent chips, including the 486 and Pentium. The 386 brought a 32-bit mode of operation and the ability to address 4GB of memory; however, the 32-bit mode was rarely used until Windows 95 was introduced. In late 1989, the 486 came out, offering faster speed and a built-in math coprocessor, required by CAD programs.
Intel 286 - AT Class
First used in the IBM AT in 1984, Intel's 286 was a 16-bit CPU that addressed 16MB of memory. ATs were just faster XTs, and memory above 1MB was rarely used for applications until Windows 3.0 became popular. By then, 386s and 486s were widely available. AT-class machines ran DOS and were extremely sluggish under Windows. See 286.
Intel 8088 - XT Class
The original PC launched by IBM in 1981 used Intel's 16-bit 8088 CPU. This chip family was designed so that the installed base of CP/M applications could be easily ported to the new architecture. See 8088 and CPM.
INTEL CORE: i3, i5, i7 and i9
Starting in 2008, Intel released the Core i5 and i7 series and the i3 two years later. In 2017, the first i9 was available. The Core "i" series superseded the Core Duo and Solo CPUs which were the first chips with the Core branding. Intel Xeon CPUs are high-end x86-based CPUs for servers and workstations. See Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Xeon, Core Duo and Core Solo.
INTEL PENTIUM: Pentium, Celeron and Xeon
In 1993, Intel introduced the Pentium family, and numerous models were developed. Pentium chips ranged from entry-level desktop machines (Celeron and Pentium) to high-end Xeon servers. In 2001, Intel introduced the Itanium, an entirely different CPU that also ran x86 applications. See Pentium, Celeron, Xeon, Itanium and PC operating environments.
AMD: Athlon, Duron, Sempron, Opteron, Phenom, Ryzen
Starting in 1994, AMD introduced its first Pentium-compatible CPU, the K5. It was followed by the K6 and then the Athlon line in 1999. The Duron was subsequently introduced for the value market to compete with Intel's Celeron, and Duron chips were superseded by the Sempron in 2004. In 2003, AMD debuted the Opteron, its first 64-bit CPU, which was later renamed Athlon 64. Phenom processors came out in 2008. In 2017, AMD began shipping its Ryzen line based on a new Zen architecture.
Earlier Intel and AMD CPUs
First used by Compaq in 1986, Intel's 386 introduced an enhanced architecture that was carried forth in all subsequent chips, including the 486 and Pentium. The 386 brought a 32-bit mode of operation and the ability to address 4GB of memory; however, the 32-bit mode was rarely used until Windows 95 was introduced. In late 1989, the 486 came out, offering faster speed and a built-in math coprocessor, required by CAD programs.
Intel 286 - AT Class
First used in the IBM AT in 1984, Intel's 286 was a 16-bit CPU that addressed 16MB of memory. ATs were just faster XTs, and memory above 1MB was rarely used for applications until Windows 3.0 became popular. By then, 386s and 486s were widely available. AT-class machines ran DOS and were extremely sluggish under Windows. See 286.
Intel 8088 - XT Class
The original PC launched by IBM in 1981 used Intel's 16-bit 8088 CPU. This chip family was designed so that the installed base of CP/M applications could be easily ported to the new architecture. See 8088 and CPM.