Cyrix vs Intel: A Comparison of CPUs in the Late 90s

Cyrix vs Intel: A Comparison of CPUs in the Late 90s

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Comparison of Cyrix and Intel CPUs
   1. Cyrix 6x86
   2. Intel Pentium MMX
   3. Cyrix 6x86 MX
3. The Era of Socket 7 CPUs
   1. AMD K-6
   2. Super Socket 7
4. Gaming Performance
   1. Need for Speed 2
   2. Quake
   3. Tweedy FX GL Quake
   4. Software Rendering
5. Benchmarking
   1. DAS Benchmark Pack
   2. Windows-based Benchmarking
   3. 3DMark 99
6. Overview of Cyrix CPUs
   1. Cyrix 6x86
   2. Cyrix 6x86 L
   3. Cyrix 6x86 MX
   4. Cyrix M2
7. Setting Up the Test System
8. Configuring the CPU Voltage and Speed
9. Installing and testing Windows 98
10. Performance Comparison
    1. Fills Computer's Lab MS-DOS Benchmark Collection
    2. WinBench 98
    3. 3DMark 99
    4. Additional Games Performance
11. Conclusion
12. Overclocking the Cyrix CPU (Next Video)

Comparison of Cyrix and Intel CPUs

In the world of computer processors, a variety of brands have dominated the market at different times. Two of the key players during the late 1990s were Cyrix and Intel. Both companies brought their unique offerings to the table, and in this article, we'll take a closer look at the comparison between Cyrix and Intel CPUs.

Cyrix 6x86

The Cyrix 6x86 CPU was marketed as a more affordable alternative to the Intel Pentium. While it promised a similar level of performance, it wasn't 100% compatible with the Pentium instruction set. However, it was fully compatible with the x86 instruction set. The original Cyrix 6x86 CPU ran at a core frequency of 133 MHz, despite being marketed as a P166. It had a fixed multiplier of 2 and used a board frequency of 66 MHz.

Intel Pentium MMX

In contrast, the Intel Pentium MMX CPU was a workhorse known for its stability and quality. Running at an actual clock frequency of 200 MHz, it outperformed the Cyrix 6x86 in many areas, especially in 3D graphics and floating-point unit performance. The Pentium MMX CPU had double the level one cache compared to the Cyrix CPU and was priced significantly higher.

Cyrix 6x86 MX

Cyrix later released the 6x86 MX CPU, which added MMX instructions and improved compatibility with the Pentium instruction set. It also quadrupled the level one cache to 64 KB, offering better performance compared to the Intel Pentium MMX variants. The Cyrix 6x86 MX CPUs came with higher clock frequencies, ranging up to a performance rating of 266 MHz. However, to ensure stability, Cyrix had to increase the voltage from 2.8 volts to 2.9 volts.

The Era of Socket 7 CPUs

During the late 90s, the computing world witnessed the rise of Socket 7 CPUs. These CPUs, such as the Cyrix and Intel offerings, were compatible with Socket 7 motherboards, which provided an extended lifespan for system upgrades. One of the notable players in this era was AMD, with its K-6 CPU, which operated at clock speeds up to 266 MHz.

Super Socket 7

Socket 7 motherboards had significant flexibility, allowing for innovations like Super Socket 7. These motherboards featured added AGP ports, 100 MHz frontside bus speeds, and ATX compatibility. This eliminated the need to immediately upgrade to a slot 1-based architecture like the Intel Pentium 2. The Super Socket 7 era brought more options to consumers and expanded the capabilities of socket 7 systems.

Gaming Performance

One of the exciting aspects of the Cyrix and Intel CPUs was their gaming performance. During the late 90s, 3D games became hugely popular, and these CPUs played a crucial role in delivering a smooth gaming experience.

Need for Speed 2

In this head-to-head comparison, let's start with one of the classic racing games of that era, Need for Speed 2. Both CPUs were put to the test to see how they handled this game. The Intel Pentium MMX displayed better performance, delivering higher frames per Second compared to the Cyrix 6x86.

Quake

Next, we have the popular first-person shooter Game, Quake. Again, the Intel Pentium MMX outperformed the Cyrix 6x86 with almost double the frames per second. This difference highlighted the importance of a strong floating-point unit, as Quake heavily relied on it for optimal performance.

Tweedy FX GL Quake

To explore the capabilities of the Cyrix 6x86 further, we also tested the game Tweedy FX GL Quake, both in software rendering and utilizing OpenGL. Surprisingly, the Cyrix CPU performed relatively well compared to the Intel Pentium MMX. It managed to keep up with adequate frames per second, making it somewhat playable for gamers with budget-oriented systems.

Software Rendering

It's worth mentioning that many games from that era required a 3D accelerator to achieve optimal performance. However, not all games supported this feature. In such cases, the CPUs' software rendering capabilities came into play. When running games that relied solely on software rendering, the Cyrix CPU often performed better than expected, sometimes even surpassing the Intel Pentium MMX.

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is crucial to determine the performance and stability of CPUs. Several benchmark tests were conducted to evaluate the Cyrix and Intel CPUs' capabilities.

DAS Benchmark Pack

One of the benchmarking tools used was the DAS Benchmark Pack from Phil's Computer Lab. This comprehensive benchmark collection provided insights into various aspects of system performance, including CPU, graphics, and memory. The results showed that while the Intel Pentium MMX excelled in 3D graphics and floating-point performance, the Cyrix CPU held its ground in many other categories.

Windows-based Benchmarking

To test the performance of the CPUs in more traditional Windows applications, the WinBench 98 suite was employed. With tests in applications like Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and CorelDRAW, the Cyrix CPU surprisingly outperformed the Intel Pentium MMX in multiple categories. These results highlight the Cyrix CPU's ability to handle business-oriented applications effectively.

3DMark 99

For a more focused evaluation of 3D graphics performance, 3DMark 99 was employed. In most tests, the Intel Pentium MMX trumped the Cyrix CPU, showcasing its superior graphics processing capabilities. However, the Cyrix CPU managed to hold its ground in certain areas, such as photos, demonstrating the potential of the budget-friendly option.

Overview of Cyrix CPUs

To fully understand the Cyrix brand, it's important to delve into the different CPU models released by the company.

Cyrix 6x86

The original Cyrix 6x86 was the fifth-generation CPU from Cyrix. It was marketed as a cheaper alternative to the Intel Pentium, promising similar performance. Although not fully compatible with the Pentium instruction set, it offered full compatibility with the x86 instruction set.

Cyrix 6x86 L

The Cyrix 6x86 L, also known as the low-power version, addressed some of the heat issues found in the previous generation. It lowered the core voltage from 3.3 volts to 2.8 volts and introduced the split power plane design, similar to Intel MMX CPUs. This design ensured that the core voltage of the CPU was lower than the I/O voltage.

Cyrix 6x86 MX

The Cyrix 6x86 MX was a significant improvement over its predecessors. It added MMX instructions, improved Pentium compatibility, and quadrupled the level one cache to 64 KB. The MX variants also offered higher clock frequencies, with performance ratings reaching up to 266 MHz.

Cyrix M2

Later revisions of the 6x86 MX CPU were released as the M2 series. These CPUs were essentially the same as the MX variants but offered higher clock speeds. However, their release came late, at a time when more powerful CPUs like the Intel Pentium II and AMD K6-2 had already gained popularity.

Setting Up the Test System

To conduct the comparison tests, a test system was set up with both the Cyrix and Intel CPUs. The system featured a Socket 7 motherboard, supporting various CPUs from different manufacturers. Additional components like a 3D Blaster video card, a sound card, and a networking card were also installed.

The motherboard used in the test system was the IBM 6x86 MXPR 200, supporting the Cyrix CPU at a clock multiplier of 2 and a frontside bus speed of 75 MHz. The CPU voltage and speed were configured using jumpers on the motherboard, as the basic BIOS of Socket 7 motherboards did not provide advanced configuration options.

Configuring the CPU Voltage and Speed

The configuration of the CPU voltage and speed was crucial to ensure stability and optimal performance. For the Cyrix 6x86 MX CPU, a split power rail design was chosen, with a core voltage of 2.9 volts. The appropriate jumpers were set on the motherboard to achieve the desired voltage.

To set the CPU speed, the correct jumpers for the frontside bus speed and clock multiplier were selected. In this case, with a 75 MHz bus speed and a desired clock multiplier of 2, specific jumpers were set on the motherboard to achieve this configuration.

Installing and Testing Windows 98

To evaluate the stability of the test system, Windows 98 was installed and tested. The installation process was similar to any other system, with the Windows 98 installation files copied onto a hard drive. The successful installation of Windows 98 served as a baseline indicator of system stability.

Performance Comparison

Various performance tests were conducted to compare the performance of the Cyrix and Intel CPUs in different scenarios.

Fills Computer's Lab MS-DOS Benchmark Collection

Fills Computer's Lab MS-DOS Benchmark Collection was used to assess the overall performance of the CPUs. The benchmark results showed that the Intel Pentium MMX performed better in many categories, particularly in 3D graphics and floating-point performance. However, the Cyrix CPU held its own and outperformed the Intel CPU in certain tests.

WinBench 98

WinBench 98 provided a comprehensive suite of tests to evaluate the performance of traditional Windows applications. Surprisingly, the Cyrix CPU surpassed the Intel Pentium MMX in multiple categories, showcasing its ability to handle business-oriented applications effectively.

3DMark 99

For a more focused assessment of 3D graphics performance, 3DMark 99 was used. In most tests, the Intel Pentium MMX outperformed the Cyrix CPU, highlighting its superior graphics processing capabilities. However, the Cyrix CPU maintained competence in certain areas, further emphasizing its value as a budget-friendly option.

Additional Games Performance

Aside from benchmarking tools, various games were tested to gauge the gaming performance of the CPUs. The Intel Pentium MMX consistently outperformed the Cyrix CPU, especially in games that heavily relied on floating-point performance. However, the Cyrix CPU surprised with decent performance, particularly in games with software rendering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Cyrix and Intel CPUs had their strengths and weaknesses during the late 90s era of computing. The Intel Pentium MMX offered superior performance, stability, and compatibility, but at a higher price point. On the other HAND, the Cyrix CPUs, particularly the 6x86 MX, provided a more budget-friendly option with decent performance, especially in non-intensive applications and games.

Although the Cyrix CPUs struggled in floating-point performance, they showcased their value in offering an affordable alternative for budget-minded consumers. The era of Socket 7 CPUs, along with the Cyrix 6x86 MX, played a significant role in ensuring competition and innovation in the CPU market.

Overclocking the Cyrix CPU (Next Video)

Stay tuned for the next video, where we will explore the overclocking potential of the Cyrix 6x86 MX CPU. Discover how this budget-friendly CPU fares when pushed beyond its stock speeds and whether it can compete with higher-end alternatives.