SGS-THOMSON announces 5x86 and 6x86 second source programme.

Following its successful entry into the x86 market via its highly competitive ST486DX family, SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics has announced an aggressive second source programme for the next processor generations. Known as the ST5x86 and ST6x86, the new processors will be available in 96Q1 and 96Q2, respectively, with both products offering better price performance than corresponding Pentium(TM) or Pentium Pro(TM) devices in PCs running popular and multimedia-based applications and operating systems.

The key factor behind this programme is an aggressive technology road map which will allow SGS-THOMSON to deliver the ST5x86 in frequencies up to 150MHz, while the ST6x86 will be offered at speeds up to 166MHz. Combined with its innovative packaging programme (see PR P390N), SGS-THOMSON continues to deliver high-volume, high quality, cost effective products and this also apply to the STx86 family.

SGS-THOMSON will second source Cyrix new processors, which are based on the M1 (ST6x86) and M1sc (ST5x86) architectures. According to Piero Martinotti Corporate Vice President and General Manager of SGS-THOMSON's New Ventures Group which leads the STx86 company efforts, "SGS-THOMSON's PC microprocessor strategy is to support the industry's top of the line processor designs using world class production technology.

"For instance, the ST6x86 products will be manufactured using our 0.35 micron HCMOS process with 5 metal layers, which is one the most advanced production technologies in the industry", said Martinotti.

This technology is currently entering production at our latest 200mm (8-inch) factory in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He also added: "Since 1990, SGS-THOMSON has been Cyrix's manufacturing and technology partner."

The ST5x86 has a 64-bit internal architecture that has been carefully tuned to optimise performance in applications such as Windows '95(TM) that mix 16-bit and 32-bit code. At the same time, the processor is compatible with 486 motherboards, allowing system designers to achieve optimum price/performance goals in Desktop and portable systems that are not attainable using Pentium(TM) processors.

The ST6x86 offers a highly efficient 64-bit internal core, low power consumption and the ability to leverage existing system designs. The Cyrix 6x86 architecture offers significant performance advantages; for example, in the Winstone 95 benchmark running Windows '95, a 100MHz 6x86 outperforms a 133MHz Pentium(TM). It is also estimated to be some 30% faster than a 133MHz Pentium Pro(TM) (P6) when running Windows for Workgroups 3.1.

The STx86 microprocessors complement a vast family of SGS-THOMSON devices that are raising performance standards in every area of the PC. For example, SGS-THOMSON devices can be found on PC motherboards , in monitors, disk drives and multimedia add-ons. In fact, there are probably more SGS-THOMSON chips in more PCs than any other x86 manufacturer. SGS-THOMSON can offer customers a rich product portfolio for computer and multimedia applications, ranging from ultra-fast burst RAMs, to MPEG decoder ICs.

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