What is the difference between the Intel 80486 and the Intel Pentium?

Answer 1

They are two different companies. Cyrix is a smaller company, their processors are not as performant as Intel ones, however they would exponse exactly the same set of instructions. Regardless the lack of performance compared with Intel, Cyrix had a very good market in the mid 90s, for people that did not have the money to purchase Intel. Instead of purchasing an Intel at 166 Mhz with 400 dollars, one could purchase a Cyrix at 150 Mhz for only 99 dollars. Of course, the performance of the cyrix would be far smaller, but the price difference would make it worthwile. Had a Cyrix between 97 and 2000. Was very happy with it.

Answer 2

A Cyrix processor typically has much lower performance than an Intel processor of a comparable speed. The only main advantage that Cyrix has is that their processor run much cooler and draw less power than most Intel processors.

Answer 3

* The Intel 80486 lacks the CMPXCHG8B instruction, found in the Pentium and later * All Pentiums include the CPUID instruction. This was only included in later 486s. * The 80486 has a 32-bit data bus. The Pentium (except for OverDrive chips built as an upgrade for 486 systems) had a 64-bit data bus.