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Date: Mon, 9 Nov 92 12:21:57 EST
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11/9/92


TITLE #m#gm#m##m#sw#m#Intel, Cyrix To Unveil Low-Power Chips

Brian Deagon The computer microprocessor marketing battle will
escalate Monday as Intel Corp. and Cyrix Corp. both announce
i486-class chips offering low power consumption.  The chips are
aimed at the next generation of battery-operated notebook comput-
ers.  Such low-power chips are recognized by the generic "sl"
moniker.  With introduction of its new chip, Intel will have the
highest performing, lowest-power consuming 486 on the market, to
be available during the first quarter for $269 per chip in
1,000-piece quantities.  The Intel 486sl microprocessor will be
two times faster and use half the power of its 386sl bretheren,
extending portable computer battery life by one additional hour,
according to Intel.  The chip also will run on 3.3 volts of
power, whereas Intel's older line runs on five volts of power.
The chip will be available in 25-megahertz and 33-megahertz
varieties, able to perform 11 million and 14.5 million instruc-
tions per second, respectively.  Richardson, Texas- based Cyrix
Corp., which already has a 3.3-volt 486sl chip that runs at 25
megahertz, enhanced the chip with a "system management mode" and
reduced power consumption 25%.  The system management mode is
significant because it prevents computers from "freezing up" when
the microprocessor attempts to extend battery life by powering
down computer components that are not being utilized. All Intel
sl chips have this feature.

Cyrix will position its new chip, the Cx486SLC/e, against Intel's
386sl lineup, primarily because it is pin-compatible with the 386
socket. The 486 uses a different size of pin socket.  Cyrix also
announced its first true 486 chip that fits the standard 486
socket. The new Cx486S2 runs at 50 megahertz and is positioned to
compete against Intel's 486sx, 33-megahertz chip, according to
Cyrix. It will be priced at $249 per unit, about $60 higher than
Intel's slower version, and will be available in volume during
the first quarter.

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