3rd Generation
 |
| Intel 8086 |
Around 1978, Intel released 8086, the first 16-bit microprocessor.
With 16-bit word size, it was possible to represent signed numbers in
the range of −32,768 to +32,767, which is quite a decent range for
performing arithmetic calculations. As such, this processor became very
popular not only for control applications, but also for number crunching
operations. Speeds of those processors were four times better than the
2nd generation processors. Not to be outdone, Motorola came out with
68000, their 16-bit processor. Zilog released Z-8000, again a 16-bit
processor. These are the most popular 16-bit processors.
4th Generation
 |
| Intel 80836 or i386 |
 |
| Intel Pentium |
In the early 80s, Intel released the 32-bit
processor, the Intel 80386, by using HCMOS fabrication. With 32-bit word
size, it was possible to represent signed numbers in the range ±2×10
9,
which is quite a large range for performing arithmetic calculations. If
floating point notation is used, it can represent much larger numbers.
As such, this processor became very popular as the CPU in computers for
number crunching operations. At this time, Motorola came out with 68020,
their 32-bit processor. Intel released 80486, which was basically an
80386 processor and 80387 numeric co-processor on a single chip.
Motorola released 68030. In the early 90s, Intel released 80586 by the
name Pentium processor. It is extremely fast in performing arithmetic
calculations and executing instructions. The Pentium 4 released in 2000
has 42 Million transistors worked with a clock frequency of 1.5 GHz and
is rated for 1500 MIPS (Million instructions per second).
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