The year is 1981, and Intel (see our history of Intel processors from a few months back) has just been chosen by IBM to supply the processor for the first personal computer. IBM wanted at least two CPU suppliers for its PC, and forced Intel to license its technology. And so it was that AMD became one of the first companies to sell an 8086 clone. AMD’s first processor went on sale in 1982. Because it was a licensed processor, the AMD 8086 (and 8088) was identical to Intel’s model.
| Code name | ? |
| Date released | 1982 |
| Architecture | 16-bits |
| Data bus | 16-bits |
| Address bus | 20-bits |
| Maximum memory | 1 MB |
| L1 cache | no |
| L2 cache | no |
| Clock frequency | 5-10 MHz |
| FSB | same as clock frequency |
| FPU | 8087 |
| SIMD | no |
| Fabrication process | 3,000 nm |
| Number of transistors | 29,000 |
| Power consumption | ? |
| Voltage | 5 V |
| Die surface area | 16 mm² |
| Connector | 40 pins |
Note the “© Intel” on the processor, made by AMD.
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Summary
- AMD Clones Intel
- Am286: Manufactured Under License, But Faster
- Am386: A 40-MHz 386
- Am486: The Last Clone
- The K5: AMD's Very Own Processor
- The K6: AMD Extends Its Range
- K7/Athlon: A Killer
- AMD Improves the Athlon: Thunderbird, XP, and more.
- Duron and Sempron: AMD's Celerons
- The K8: AMD Moves To 64 Bits
- Athlon 64 X2: AMD's Dual-Core
- The Phenom: K10 and Quad-Core
- The Future Lies With Phenom
Ask a Category Expert

Where the intel article seemed to overshadow intel's little victories, this article seems to gloss over AMD innovation (though i'll admit that i didn't recall the bit about the Intel chip, either the pentium or pentium pro, that gave incorrect values for mathmatical equations)
Both articles really need alot more detail added. As i've actually ranted about the history i'm reffering to in the comments section of the intel article as well as many other's i won't re-hash it.
This is like viasat history - only more specific and technical
AMD 486 @120 Mhz was making my friends that bought an early Pentium red with envy.
Someone gave me a AMD K5 system.
Thanks for the article.
I have quite a few chips from both makers, including the AMD 40MHz 386, and an Intel 386 & 387 33MHz cpu's, which are quite scarce...
Word!
It's not all that hard.
The article was designed to be a brief history overview.
Excessive details would have clouded that goal.
What it does do, however, is give you the information you need to start your researchy project.
Have Fun!
I'm guessing that's supposed to say clone?
first thought when saw Nehalem review, " Whoa, AMD will be crush this time." But then, suddenly, AMD ACC appears. "What the hell!" From only 300MHz overclock become 1 GHz overclock. That's huge for me since AMD Athlon never got those awesome overclock compare to E2160.
and omg!! the processor rubber feet! once they burn away say good bye to your cpu, why did they put it in there in the first place?