Cyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade Processor
Cyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade Processor Overview

NOTE: The information provided below is for a Cyrix product that is no longer in production.

Product Features

Single-chip upgrade solution. The upgrade processor is the easiest way to get 486 class performance from your 386 PC.

Easy to install. Upgrading you 386 is a simple task -- just take out the old chip and plug in the upgrade chip.

Cx486 processor technology. By processing instructions in less time than a 386, the upgrade processor runs your software faster.

Clock-doubled performance. The upgrade processor runs twice as fast as your old 386, enabling you to be more productive.

1K on-chip cache with cache coherency support. The upgrade processor is quickly supplied the data it needs to run your software at maximum speed.

Industry standard hardware compatibility. Designed for 386DX and 386SX sockets, the upgrade processor fits your computer.
Universal software compatibility. The upgrade processor will run all your current and future software including DOS, Windows, Windows NT, and OS/2 operating systems and applications.
Limited lifetime warranty. As long as you own your computer, Cyrix guarantees your satisfaction with the upgrade processor.
Toll-free technical support.

Performance

486-class performance. The Cyrix upgrade is based on Cyrix's enhanced Cx486 technology. With its clock-doubling feature, the upgrade processor effectively doubles your computer's internal processor speed without requiring a new motherboard. It also delivers other performance enhancements such as 1K on-chip cache with Cyrix cache coherency technology, single cycle instruction execution, and a hardware integer multiplier. These features can boost application performance up to 70% and more. This increased performance is especially beneficial in running graphic intensive software and other processor intensive applications.

Fast integer multiplier. The hardware integer multiplier calculates up to eight times faster than the software multiply functions of 386 and non-Cyrix 486 processors operating at the same frequency. Cyrix's hardware integer multiplier enhances video performance in graphical applications, making it up to two times faster than 386 software multipliers operating at the same speed.

Cache included. For higher performance with full data integrity, the Cyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade processor utilizes a 1K on-chip cache. The cache is a small memory area within the Cyrix upgrade that holds data ready for use by the processor's execution unit. Since the data is actually in the processor, it can be accessed much quicker than if it had to be retrieved from the system's memory. This cache feature is not found on 386 processors.

Compatibility

Cx486DRx2/Cx486SRx2 Software Compatibility

Universal Software Compatibility. All Cyrix processors are fully compatible with the tens of thousands of software applications in use today. The compatibility certification process begins in the processor development stage by running thousands of simulations. After the first samples are manufactured, verification continues with extensive testing of the latest operating systems, network software, and software applications. Once the processor passes every test in this rigorous process, the Cyrix CPU is certified x86 compatible.

DOS, OS/2, Windows, Windows NT Compatibility. Cyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade processors are fully compatible with DOS, OS/2, Windows, and Windows NT. These processors are also compatible in network nodes running under Novell, Banyan, and other popular network environments. Cyrix works closely with major software manufacturers to ensure full software compatibility.

UNIX and Novell Server Compatibility. Cyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade processors are also compatible with many UNIX versions including AIX, SCO, AT&T, and Interactive. Using the Cyrix Upgrade in these UNIX environments requires specific Cyrix cache utility software.

Cx486DRx2 Hardware Compatibility

The Cx486DRx2 Upgrade processor is designed to work in any 386DX (16, 20, 25, and 33 MHz) computer that follows industry standard socket and BIOS designs. Cyrix has conducted extensive testing to ensure full hardware compatibility in numerous computers including IBM, Compaq, AST, Dell, and Toshiba PCs.

The Hardware Compatibility List includes a list of 386DX systems, by manufacturer, that have successfully been upgraded with the Cyrix Cx486DRx2 Upgrade processor.

Cx486SRx2 Hardware Compatibility

The Cx486SRx2 Upgrade processor is designed to work in any 386SX (20 and 25 MHz) computer that follows industry standard socket and BIOS designs. Due to a 386SX design change in 1991, the Cx486SRx2 will also work in 16 MHz 386SX PCs manufactured after 1991.

The Hardware Compatibility List includes a list of 386SX systems, by manufacturer, that have successfully been upgraded with the Cyrix Cx486SRx2 Upgrade processor.

Cyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade ProcessorCyrix 386-to-486 Upgrade Processor Overview