Cyrix Media GX Processor

关于 Cyrix Media GX

1996 年，Cyrix 发布了 MediaGX CPU，它将 PC 的所有主要分立组件（包括内存控制器、图形、声音和 PCI 控制器）集成到单个芯片上。最初基于旧的 5x86 技术并以 120 或 133 MHz 运行，其性能受到广泛批评，但其低廉的价格使其相当成功。虽然它需要一个特殊的主板并且与 Pentium 的引脚不兼容，但它是市场上进入奔腾级系统最便宜的路线。MediaGX 的运行速度可达 333 MHz，并增加了对 MMX 支持。另外又增加了第二个芯片，以扩展其视频能力。

当康柏在其价格最低的 Presario 计算机中使用 MediaGX 时，Cyrix 获得了第一次重大胜利。这导致 MediaGX 进一步向 Packard Bell 销售，并且似乎也赋予了 Cyrix 合法性，因为对 Packard Bell 和 eMachines 的 6x86 销售迅速跟进。

但由于它在低成本市场上似乎有如此大的潜力，因此将 Cyrix 的注意力从主要市场——高性能台式机零件——上拉开。这也引起了其他公司的兴趣，尤其是美国国家半导体，它于 1997 年 7 月收购了 Cyrix 主要因为 MediaGX 设计的力量。在接下来的一年左右的时间里，公司因管理不善而被遗忘。

关键数据：

• 2,400,000 个晶体管
• 0.40 µm CMOS 制造技术
• 32 位 x86 处理器
• 芯片上集成有：
  • 内存管理单元
  • 图形加速器
  • 显示控制器
  • XpressRAM™ 内存子系统
  • PCI 控制器
  • FPU（浮点单元）
• MMX（额外的 SIMD 命令专门用于多媒体应用程序）
• 16 KB 回写 L1 缓存
• 支持最大 1GB 内存

Introduction

In 1996 Cyrix released the MediaGX CPU, which integrated all of the major discrete components of a PC, including memory controller, graphics, sound and PCI controller, onto a single chip. Initially based on the old 5x86 technology and running at 120 or 133 MHz, its performance was widely criticized but its low price made it quite successful. Though it required a special motherboard and was not pin compatible with the Pentium, it was the cheapest route into a Pentium class system available on the market. Later versions of the MediaGX ran at speeds of up to 333 MHz and added MMX support. A second chip was added to extend its video capabilities.

The MediaGX led to Cyrix’s first big win, when Compaq used it in its lowest-priced Presario computers. This led to further MediaGX sales to Packard Bell and also seemed to give Cyrix legitimacy, as 6x86 sales to Packard Bell and eMachines quickly followed.

But because it seemed to have so much potential in the low-cost market, it dragged Cyrix’s attention away from the main market - high-performance desktop parts - and attracted the interest of other companies, notably National Semiconductor, which bought Cyrix in July 1997 largely on the strength of the MediaGX design, and over the next year or so proceeded to mismanage the company into oblivion.

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