68030 vs. 80486
What's the Difference?
The 68030 and 80486 are both microprocessors released in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Motorola and Intel, respectively. The 68030 was part of the Motorola 68000 series and featured a 32-bit architecture with a clock speed ranging from 16 to 50 MHz. The 80486, on the other hand, was part of Intel's x86 series and featured a 32-bit architecture with clock speeds ranging from 20 to 100 MHz. While both processors were popular choices for personal computers at the time, the 80486 was generally considered to be more powerful and efficient than the 68030, offering better performance for tasks such as gaming and multimedia applications.
Comparison
| Attribute | 68030 | 80486 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Motorola | Intel |
| Release Year | 1987 | 1989 |
| Instruction Set | 68000 | x86 |
| Max Clock Speed | 33 MHz | 33 MHz |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Address Bus Width | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Cache Size | 256 bytes | 8 KB |
Further Detail
Introduction
When it comes to computer processors, the 68030 and 80486 are two popular choices that were widely used in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Both processors were significant advancements in their time, offering improved performance and capabilities compared to their predecessors. In this article, we will compare the attributes of the 68030 and 80486 processors to help you understand their differences and similarities.
Architecture
The 68030 processor, developed by Motorola, is a 32-bit microprocessor that was released in 1987. It was the successor to the 68020 and featured a more advanced architecture with improved performance and efficiency. On the other hand, the 80486 processor, also known as the i486, was developed by Intel and released in 1989. It was a significant improvement over the 80386 processor, offering better performance and new features such as on-chip cache memory.
Performance
When it comes to performance, both the 68030 and 80486 processors were considered high-performance chips in their time. The 68030 had a clock speed ranging from 16 MHz to 50 MHz, while the 80486 had a clock speed ranging from 20 MHz to 100 MHz. The 80486 was generally faster than the 68030 due to its more advanced architecture and higher clock speeds, making it a popular choice for high-end computing tasks.
Features
One of the key differences between the 68030 and 80486 processors is the features they offer. The 68030 had a built-in memory management unit (MMU) and floating-point unit (FPU), which were essential for handling memory and mathematical calculations. In contrast, the 80486 had a more advanced instruction set and on-chip cache memory, which improved performance and efficiency.
Compatibility
When it comes to compatibility, the 68030 and 80486 processors were both compatible with their respective instruction sets and software. However, the 80486 was more compatible with newer software and operating systems due to its more advanced architecture and features. This made the 80486 a popular choice for users who needed to run the latest applications and games.
Power Consumption
In terms of power consumption, the 68030 and 80486 processors differed in their energy efficiency. The 68030 was known for its relatively high power consumption, especially at higher clock speeds. On the other hand, the 80486 was more energy-efficient, thanks to its advanced architecture and on-chip cache memory, which helped reduce power consumption while maintaining high performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 68030 and 80486 processors were both significant advancements in the world of computing, offering improved performance and capabilities compared to their predecessors. While the 68030 was a solid choice for its time, the 80486 outperformed it in terms of speed, features, and compatibility. Ultimately, the choice between the two processors would depend on the specific needs and requirements of the user, with the 80486 being the preferred option for those seeking high performance and compatibility with modern software.
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