IBM unveils 6x86 P200+ microprocessor

Sets a new standard for performance and value

June 3, 1996

"In expanding the industry's choice of microprocessors, the IBM 6x86 P200+ gives desktop PC buyers a level of performance and value that until now was unattainable," said Ken Torino, director of the x86 business unit for IBM Microelectronics. "We expect to continue to enhance the 6x86 architecture well into 1997, when we introduce our M2 products, making this a scalable platform that OEMs and PC users can grow with into the future."

The IBM 6x86 P200+ complements IBM's extensive semiconductor portfolio for the volume personal computer market place, which includes microprocessors, multimedia, SRAM and DRAM memory products. The 6x86 P200+ is the latest addition to IBM's line of x86 microprocessors that includes the P166+, P150+, P133+ and the P120+.

"The demand for microprocessors to provide PC users with higher performance levels to run multimedia and other compute-intensive applications is an ongoing challenge," said Dean McCarron, principal analyst of Mercury Research. "IBM is working to meet those challenges with its 6x86 P200+."

The 6x86 family, including the P200+ is manufactured at IBM's Burlington, Vt. plant for IBM and Cyrix. The new 6x86 P200+ is based on IBM's .44 micron, five-level CMOS technology and Cyrix's advanced design. Other key features of the P200+ include a superpipelined and superscaled architecture that is optimized for maximum instruction throughput. A large 16K primary cache featuring multiple ports which reduces the potential for processor bottlenecks; and the ability to use today's 16-bit software application base without recompiling.

Under identical test configurations, the new 6x86 P200+ outperformed the comparable Intel microprocessor in independent laboratory tests. These tests are conducted using the (widely accepted) Winstone benchmark suite, which is based on 13 actual Windows applications. Test results found that the new IBM 6x86 P200+, with a clock speed of 150 MHz, delivered higher performance than Intel's anticipated Pentium 200 MHz microprocessor. OEMs also get exceptional value from the IBM 6x86 P200+, which is lower priced than the Pentium 166 MHz microprocessor.

The Winstone 96 results are:

IBM's 6x86 P200+

91.6

Intel's Pentium 200

89.0

First introduced last February during IBM's announcement of the x86 family, the new industry accepted "P-rating" system allows end users to evaluate microprocessor purchases on relative performance levels, rather than just clock speed. The P200+ rating attached to the new 6x86 P200+ reflects that it outperforms the anticipated Intel Pentium 200 microprocessor.

Pricing And Availability

Samples of the 6x86 P200+ are available now, with full worldwide production expected in August.
The price in quantities of 1,000 is $479.

Pricing is current as of June 3, 1996 and is subject to change without notice.

IBM Microelectronics is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Winstone is a registered trademark of Ziff-Davis.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Cyrix is a registered trademark of Cyrix Corporation.