台灣遊戲迷必看！Cyrix 6x86MX vs Intel Pentium MMX

台灣遊戲迷必看！Cyrix 6x86MX vs Intel Pentium MMX

Table of Contents

1. ⭐ Introduction
2. ⭐ Comparison Between Cyrix Six x86 MX and Intel Pentium MMX
3. ⭐ Overview of Socket 7 CPUs era
4. ⭐ The Cyrix 6 x86 CPU: A Cheaper Alternative to Intel Pentium
5. ⭐ The Cyrix 6 x86 L: Low Power Version with Improved Heat Management
6. ⭐ The Cyrix 6 x86 MX: Adding MMX Instructions and Improving Compatibility
7. ⭐ Different Clock Speeds and Voltage Configurations
8. ⭐ Setting Up the Cyrix CPU on a Socket 7 Mainboard
9. ⭐ testing the Performance and Stability of the Cyrix CPU
10. ⭐ Benchmark Results and Comparison with the Intel Pentium MMX
11. ⭐ Conclusion: The Cyrix 6 x86 MX as an Underdog CPU
12. ⭐ Overclocking the Cyrix 6 x86 MX: A Look into its Overclocking Potential

Introduction

Welcome back to the Channel! In this video, we're going to take a closer look at two iconic CPUs from the late 90s: the Cyrix Six x86 MX and the Intel Pentium MMX. These CPUs were part of the Socket 7 era, a time when 3D gaming was becoming increasingly popular. The Cyrix Six x86 MX was known for being a budget-friendly alternative to the Intel Pentium MMX, offering comparable performance at a lower price point. We'll delve into the specifications, performance, and overclocking potential of the Cyrix CPU, as well as compare it to the Intel Pentium MMX. So, let's jump right in!

Comparison Between Cyrix Six x86 MX and Intel Pentium MMX

Before we dive into the details of the Cyrix Six x86 MX CPU, let's first compare it to its main competitor, the Intel Pentium MMX. Both CPUs were released during the late 90s when 3D games were gaining popularity. The Cyrix Six x86 MX had a core frequency of 150MHz, while the Intel Pentium MMX ran at an actual clock frequency of 200MHz. Despite the lower core frequency, the Cyrix CPU offered double the level one cache compared to the MMX CPU. Another significant difference was the price point, with the Cyrix CPU being significantly cheaper than its Intel counterpart. In this video, we'll explore the reasons behind these differences in performance and pricing, and see how the Cyrix Six x86 MX holds up against the Intel Pentium MMX in real-world tests.

Overview of Socket 7 CPUs era

The Socket 7 era was a fascinating time in the world of computing, marked by the introduction of CPUs like the Cyrix Six x86 series, the Intel Pentium MMX, and the AMD K6. These CPUs could be easily fitted onto Socket 7 mainboards, which had a remarkably long lifespan compared to other socket types. What made Socket 7 mainboards even more interesting was the availability of Super Socket 7, which added features like AGP ports, higher frontside bus speeds, and ATX compatibility. This meant that users didn't have to immediately switch to the newer Slot 1 architecture used in the Intel Pentium II. In this section, we'll take a closer look at the various CPUs released during the Socket 7 era and their impact on the computing landscape.

The Cyrix 6 x86 CPU: A Cheaper Alternative to Intel Pentium

The original Cyrix 6 x86 CPU was marketed as a more affordable alternative to the Intel Pentium, offering similar performance without being 100% compatible with the Pentium instruction set. However, it was fully compatible with the x86 instruction set. Despite its nomenclature, the Cyrix 6 x86 offered a core frequency of 133MHz, produced by a 66MHz frontside bus and a fixed multiplier of 2. To compete with Intel's Pentium series, Cyrix introduced the concept of a performance rating (PR rating), allowing users to compare its CPUs with their Intel equivalents. In this section, we'll explore the features and specifications of the original Cyrix 6 x86 CPU and its role in providing an affordable computing solution.

The Cyrix 6 x86 L: Low Power Version with Improved Heat Management

One of the main concerns with the original Cyrix 6 x86 CPU was its heat generation and overall power consumption. To address these issues, Cyrix released the Cyrix 6 x86 L, a low power version of the previous generation CPU. The Cyrix 6 x86 L featured a decreased core voltage from 3.3 volts to 2.8 volts, as well as a split power plane design similar to the Intel MMX CPUs. This design allowed the core voltage of the CPU to be lower than the I/O voltage, reducing overall power consumption and heat generation. In this section, we'll explore how the Cyrix 6 x86 L improved upon the heat management of its predecessor and its impact on the overall performance and stability of the CPU.

The Cyrix 6 x86 MX: Adding MMX Instructions and Improving Compatibility

With the release of the Cyrix 6 x86 MX, Cyrix aimed to improve both the compatibility and performance of their CPUs. The Cyrix 6 x86 MX added MMX instructions to the CPU, allowing it to better handle multimedia tasks. Additionally, the level one cache was quadrupled to 64 kilobytes, which was double the cache of the Intel Pentium MMX CPUs. Cyrix also introduced higher clock frequencies for the MX variants, with performance ratings of up to 266MHz. However, these improvements came at the cost of increased voltage and the requirement for more flexible multipliers. We'll delve into the specifics of the Cyrix 6 x86 MX in this section and explore its impact on gaming and multimedia performance.

Different Clock Speeds and Voltage Configurations

The Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPUs offered a range of clock speeds and voltage configurations, providing users with flexibility in terms of performance and power consumption. Early versions of the PR 200 CPU, for example, came with a 150MHz core frequency and a 75MHz frontside bus. However, as the manufacturing process improved, the core frequency was bumped up to 166MHz. This was achieved by increasing the frontside bus speed to 66MHz and using a multiplier of 2.5. The MX variants also had more flexible multipliers compared to their predecessors. However, these improvements often required an increase in voltage for stability reasons. In this section, we'll explore the different clock speeds and voltage configurations available for the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPUs and their impact on performance and stability.

Setting Up the Cyrix CPU on a Socket 7 Mainboard

Configuring the Cyrix CPU on a Socket 7 mainboard involved adjusting the CPU voltage and speed settings using jumpers on the mainboard. In this section, we'll guide you through the process of setting up the core voltage and CPU speed for the Cyrix 6 x86 MX. The mainboard's documentation is crucial for correctly configuring these settings. We'll explain the differences between single voltage and split power plane designs and provide step-by-step instructions on configuring the core voltage and CPU speed using the jumpers on the mainboard. By the end of this section, you'll have a clear understanding of how to set up the Cyrix CPU for optimal performance and stability.

Testing the Performance and Stability of the Cyrix CPU

To gauge the performance and stability of the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU, we conducted a series of tests and benchmarks. These included running games like Need for Speed 2 and Quake, as well as running the DAS Benchmark Pack created by Phil's Computer Lab. We also performed Windows-based benchmarking using 3DMark 99 to get a comprehensive view of the CPU's capabilities. In this section, we'll discuss the results of these tests, comparing them to the performance of the Intel Pentium MMX. We'll analyze the CPU's performance in gaming, multimedia tasks, and business applications, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. By the end of this section, you'll have a clear understanding of the Cyrix CPU's performance and suitability for different computing tasks.

Benchmark Results and Comparison with the Intel Pentium MMX

In this section, we'll delve into the benchmark results obtained from testing the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU and compare them to the performance of the Intel Pentium MMX. We'll analyze both synthetic and real-world benchmarks, including gaming benchmarks like Quake and Need for Speed 2, as well as business application benchmarks using WinBench 98. By comparing the performance of the Cyrix and Intel CPUs side by side, we'll highlight the areas where the Cyrix CPU excels and areas where it falls behind. This analysis will provide a comprehensive view of the differences in performance between these two CPUs and help you make an informed decision about their suitability for your specific computing needs.

Conclusion: The Cyrix 6 x86 MX as an Underdog CPU

In conclusion, the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU proves to be an interesting and capable option, especially for budget-conscious consumers during the late 90s. Despite being overshadowed by the Intel Pentium MMX, the Cyrix CPU offered comparable performance at a significantly lower price point. It provided a viable alternative for users looking to enter the world of 3D gaming and multimedia tasks at a more affordable cost. While it may not have matched the floating-point performance of its Intel rival, the Cyrix 6 x86 MX showed its strengths in business applications and showcased a stable and efficient computing option. In this final section, we'll summarize the key takeaways from our exploration of the Cyrix CPU and its place in computing history.

Overclocking the Cyrix 6 x86 MX: A Look into its Overclocking Potential

In this follow-up video, we'll explore the overclocking potential of the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU. While the Cyrix CPUs were not known for their strong overclocking capabilities, the MX variants showed some improvement in this area. We'll examine the steps involved in safely overclocking the Cyrix CPU, including adjusting the frontside bus speed and multiplier settings. Additionally, we'll test the stability and performance of the CPU at different overclocked speeds. By the end of this video, you'll have a clear idea of the overclocking potential of the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU and whether it's worth pursuing for increased performance.

FAQ

Q: Was the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU more affordable than the Intel Pentium MMX? A: Yes, the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU was priced significantly lower than its Intel counterpart, making it a budget-friendly option for consumers.

Q: How did the Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU perform in gaming benchmarks? A: The Cyrix 6 x86 MX CPU showed decent gaming performance, although it fell behind the Intel Pentium MMX in games that heavily relied on floating-point unit performance.

Q: What were the main differences between the Cyrix 6 x86 MX and the Intel Pentium MMX? A: The Cyrix 6 x86 MX had a lower core frequency and offered double the level one cache compared to the Intel Pentium MMX. It was also significantly cheaper.

Resources:

• Phil's Computer Lab: https://www.philscomputerlab.com
• 3DMark 99: https://www.futuremark.com/benchmarks/3dmark