MediaGX

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Cyrix MediaGX

Cyrix MediaGX, BGA
General information
Launched	February 20, 1997
Common manufacturer	National Semiconductor
CPUID code	440h (GX/GXi), 540h (GXm)
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate	120 MHz to 300 MHz
FSB speeds	30 MHz to 33 MHz
Cache
L1 cache	16 KiB unified
Architecture and classification
Technology node	0.35 μm to 0.4 μm
Microarchitecture	5x86
Instruction set	x86-16, IA-32
Extensions	MMX (GXm)
Physical specifications
Cores	1
History
Predecessor	Cyrix 5x86
Successor	Geode

The MediaGX CPU is an x86-compatible processor that was designed by Cyrix and manufactured by National Semiconductor following the two companies' merger. It was introduced in 1997. The core is based on the integration of the Cyrix Cx5x86 CPU core with hardware to process video and audio output (XpressRAM, XpressGRAPHICS, XpressAUDIO). Following the buyout of Cyrix by National Semiconductor and the sale of the Cyrix name and trademarks to VIA Technologies, the core was developed by National Semiconductor into the Geode line of processors, which was subsequently sold to Advanced Micro Devices.

Whether this processor belongs in the fourth or fifth generation of x86 processors can be considered a matter of debate as the processor was based on the 5x86 (a scaled down version of the Cyrix 6x86). While the 5x86 was intended to compete with the Intel Pentium line, the 5th generation x86, it was designed to interface with a 4th generation (80486) motherboard and had only the 486's instruction set, lacking the ability to run software requiring the Pentium's new instructions.

The MediaGX CPU was mostly used for subcompact laptops. It was also used in the CTX EzBook V92C266, Compaq Presario 1220 and 1230 laptops, Compaq Presario 2100 and 2200 desktops, Casio Cassiopeia Fiva MPC-100 series subnotebook and MPC-501 tablet PCs, and many others, as well as in high-performance embedded applications such as the Pinball 2000 arcade pinball system and Atari Games arcade platforms. Sun Microsystems used MediaGXm in the Dover JavaStation.