x86.. where are we now?

[(Shovel)]

I was reading up on Intel arch. processors for my computer architecture exam on Tuesday. It mentioned how Intel stopped using the 386/486 naming system when they wanted a patent - hense pentium. Then came Pentium II cause the brand name was sucessful.

So errr... Pentium was the 586, PII was 686? Was PIII a 786? And is PIV actially an 886? Or are the advances in brand names not actually proper advaces in processor developments?

I'm purely curious...

 

[Embattle]

6 - The first number refers to the generation of chip.
86 - The last two refer to the architecture (x86) of the processor, it still hasn't changed from the basics of the original 8086 some 20+ years ago.

The changes between generations (586->686) are normally fairly significant although the name change from numbers to a name by Intel is a marketing ploy to differentiate their own processor from the emerging AMD ones, didn't want to advertise you competitors processors by saying how wonderful the 686 was. It also gave the processor an identity that they could use more effectively in marketing the processor to new users.

The life of x86 looks like it will continue with AMD new processor, Hammer, set to have backwards support for the x86 standard.

An interesting resource http://users.erols.com/chare/main.htm

 

[xane]

The "generation" represents a major redesign of the architecture, so actually the Pentium I and Pentium MMX are 586, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, Xeon and Celeron are 686 (there is in fact little differences between them), and Pentium IV is 786.

8086 was the basic design.
286 introduced 16-bit addressing
386 introduced 32-bit addressing and multi-tasking
486 introduced an integrated FPU
586 introduced superscalar technology
686 introduced three-way superscalar
786 is advanced superscalar with "netburst" technology

Intel tried to trademark "x86" (not patent) and lost, because of a ruling that disallowed numbers to be trademarked, thus the brand name change.

 

[Embattle]

You missed out 8088 which was the main chip used instead of the 8086 due to the fact that the 8086 was too powerful for the devices of the time.