Intel Pentium Processors with MMX Technology

From point-of-sale (POS) terminals and retail kiosks to advanced networking equipment, Pentium processors with MMX technology enable developers of embedded systems to step up to new levels of performance. To make these designs even easier and more flexible, Intel is making the performance advantages of MMX technology available at a choice of integration levels.

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The upgrade path for embedded Intel architecture includes longer life cycle support for the 200 MHz and 233 MHz Pentium processors with MMX technology.
Intel offers 166 MHz and 266 MHz Low-power Pentium processors with MMX technology. Both are available in thin HL-PBGA packaging, as well as PPGA packaging. The 166 MHz Pentium processor is also available in extended temperature range -40ºC to +115ºC.
Also, the Intel 430TX PCIset now supports synchronous DRAM [SDRAM] in embedded applications.

Product Highlights
166, 200, 233, 266 MHz
430TX PCIset
HL-PBGA, PPGA
Extended temp

New Design Options

Together the Pentium processor with MMX technology and the 430TX PCIset provides developers with flexible new options to create value-added embedded designs and upgrade existing products to new levels of performance. Regardless of which design path a developer may select, the Pentium processor with MMX technology offers performance enhancements that can be especially valuable in today's most competitive embedded application segments--including "intelligent" POS terminals, telecommunications equipment, networking devices and high-performance industrial computers.

Improve Processor Performance 10-20 Percent

Pentium processors with MMX technology can provide a 10 to 20 percent performance boost over classic Pentium processors at the same frequency. In addition, the MMX technology versions of the processor double on-chip code and data caches to 16 Kbytes and feature improved branch prediction, an enhanced pipeline and deeper write buffers for improved performance.

Advantages of Intel MMX Technology

MMX technology provides 57 new instruction sets to improve processor performance in traditional digital signal processor [DSP] applications, including the graphics, audio and voice processing capabilities now emerging as value-added features in high-performance embedded products. MMX technology can potentially eliminate the requirement for DSP chips in embedded applications such as video kiosks, telecommunications devices and POS terminals.

Intel Architecture Upgrade Path

"The Pentium processor with MMX technology offers developers the advantages of Intel's stable, long-term processor architecture, together with strong tools support, a robust development environment and a clearly defined upgrade path," notes Tom Franz, general manager of Intel's Embedded Microprocessor Division.

If the flexible motherboard guidelines for split voltages were followed on the original design, Pentium Processors with MMX technology offer pin-compatibility, and a high degree of code-compatibility, with the classic Pentium processors. These compatibility features offer developers a smooth extended upgrade path from existing Intel architecture designs, together with a way to quickly add higher performance with minimal development overhead.

430TX PCIset Adds New Performance

The Intel 430TX PCIset supports synchronous DRAM [SDRAM] in embedded applications. The chipset's Ultra DMA capability allows faster downloading of larger data files in applications such as POS and industrial computers along with Concurrent PCI for smoother video and audio performance.

The 430TX PCIset is also available in extended temperatures at -40°C to +85°C degrees ambient. The extended temperature Pentium processor with MMX technology, along with the extended temperature 430TX PCIset, enables an optimized solution for embedded applications.