68060 vs. 80486

Attribute	68060	80486
Manufacturer	Motorola	Intel
Release Year	1994	1989
Instruction Set	68k	x86
Max Clock Speed	50 MHz	100 MHz
Cache Size	8 KB	8 KB
Transistor Count	1.2 million	1.2 million

Introduction

When it comes to computer processors, the 68060 and 80486 are two of the most well-known chips from the late 20th century. Both processors were released in the early 1990s and were designed for use in personal computers. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are several key differences between the two that set them apart in terms of performance, architecture, and features.

Performance

The 68060 processor, manufactured by Motorola, was known for its high performance and was often used in high-end workstations and servers. It featured a clock speed of up to 75 MHz and had a powerful floating-point unit, making it well-suited for tasks that required complex mathematical calculations. In comparison, the 80486 processor, produced by Intel, had a clock speed of up to 100 MHz and was also considered a high-performance chip for its time. However, the 80486 was more commonly found in consumer-grade PCs and was not as widely used in professional settings as the 68060.

Architecture

One of the key differences between the 68060 and 80486 processors lies in their architecture. The 68060 used a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture, which allowed for faster execution of instructions and better performance in certain types of applications. In contrast, the 80486 used a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) architecture, which was more traditional but also more versatile in terms of the types of instructions it could execute. This difference in architecture had a significant impact on the overall performance and capabilities of the two processors.

Features

When it comes to features, the 68060 and 80486 processors had some notable differences. The 68060, for example, included a built-in memory management unit (MMU) and a floating-point unit, which made it well-suited for multitasking and multimedia applications. The 80486, on the other hand, did not have a built-in MMU and required an external floating-point unit for certain tasks. Additionally, the 68060 had a larger on-chip cache, which helped improve performance in memory-intensive applications.

Compatibility

Another important factor to consider when comparing the 68060 and 80486 processors is compatibility. The 68060 was part of the Motorola 68000 family of processors, which meant that it was compatible with software and hardware designed for earlier members of the family. This made it easier for users to upgrade their systems without having to replace all of their existing software and peripherals. In contrast, the 80486 was not fully compatible with earlier Intel processors, which could make upgrading more complicated and costly for users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the 68060 and 80486 processors were both high-performance chips from the early 1990s, they had several key differences in terms of performance, architecture, features, and compatibility. The 68060 was known for its high performance and advanced features, making it a popular choice for professional workstations and servers. The 80486, on the other hand, was more commonly found in consumer-grade PCs and offered a good balance of performance and compatibility. Ultimately, the choice between the two processors would depend on the specific needs and requirements of the user.