MediaGX
Encyclopedia
The MediaGX CPU was an x86 processor manufactured and designed by Cyrix
and later after merger manufactured by National Semiconductor
, and 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 Pentium's new instructions.
The MediaGX CPU was mostly used for subcompact laptops. It was also used in the CTX EzBook and Compaq Presario
1230, 2100 and 2200 desktops, Casio
Cassiopeia Fiva tablet PC, and many others, as well as in the Pinball 2000 arcade
pinball
game. Sun Microsystems
used MediaGXm in the Dover JavaStation
.
(XpressAUDIO). The access to the hardware resources traps via BIOS
and emulates in the System Management Mode
(SMM), enabling it to execute transparently to the operating system, drivers and applications.
The MediaGXm is an improved MediaGX with an implementation of the MMX enhanced instruction set.
National Semiconductor offered this processor under the name Geode GXM
.
memory, typical for motherboard designs of the period. All of the cache must be on the processor die.
MediaGX processors can only run on motherboards specifically designed for the same model of the processor due to tight integration between the processor and its companion chipset.
The graphics, sound, and PCI bus ran at the same speed as the processor clock also due to tight integration. This made the processor appear much slower than its actual rated speed. However, the graphics system is able to use the main system memory providing for significant cost savings on the basic systems and embedded controllers in the market for this platform.
Cyrix
Cyrix Corporation was a microprocessor developer that was founded in 1988 in Richardson, Texas as a specialist supplier of high-performance math coprocessors for 286 and 386 microprocessors. The company was founded by former Texas Instruments staff members and had a long but troubled relationship...
and later after merger manufactured by National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor was an American semiconductor manufacturer, that specialized in analog devices and subsystems,formerly headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA. The products of National Semiconductor included power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational amplifiers,...
, and was introduced in 1997. The core is based on the integration of the Cyrix Cx5x86
Cyrix Cx5x86
Released in August 1995, four months before the more famous Cyrix 6x86, the Cyrix 5x86 was one of the fastest CPUs ever produced for Socket 3 computer systems...
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
VIA Technologies
VIA Technologies is a Taiwanese manufacturer of integrated circuits, mainly motherboard chipsets, CPUs, and memory, and is part of the Formosa Plastics Group. It is the world's largest independent manufacturer of motherboard chipsets...
, the core was developed by National Semiconductor into the Geode
Geode (processor)
Geode is a series of x86-compatible system-on-a-chip microprocessors and I/O companions produced by AMD, targeted at the embedded computing market....
line of processors, which was subsequently sold to Advanced Micro Devices
Advanced Micro Devices
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. or AMD is an American multinational semiconductor company based in Sunnyvale, California, that develops computer processors and related technologies for commercial and consumer markets...
.
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
Cyrix 6x86
The Cyrix 6x86 is a sixth-generation, 32-bit 80x86-compatible microprocessor designed by Cyrix and manufactured by IBM and SGS-Thomson. It was originally released in 1996.-Architecture:...
). 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 Pentium's new instructions.
The MediaGX CPU was mostly used for subcompact laptops. It was also used in the CTX EzBook and Compaq Presario
Compaq Presario
Presario is a series of desktop computers and notebooks from Compaq. The Presario family of computers was launched for the consumer marketplace in September 1993. Although HP has since acquired Compaq, the Presario name was not discontinued due to its marketability. In the mid-1990s, Compaq began...
1230, 2100 and 2200 desktops, Casio
Casio
is a multinational electronic devices manufacturing company founded in 1946, with its headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Casio is best known for its electronic products, such as calculators, audio equipment, PDAs, cameras, musical instruments, and watches...
Cassiopeia Fiva tablet PC, and many others, as well as in the Pinball 2000 arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
pinball
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
game. Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
used MediaGXm in the Dover JavaStation
JavaStation
The JavaStation was a Network Computer developed by Sun Microsystems between 1996 and 2000, intended to run only Java applications.The hardware is based on the design of the Sun SPARCstation series, a very successful line of UNIX workstations....
.
Virtual Subsystem Architecture
Virtual Subsystem Architecture (VSA) emulates a presence of the real hardware VGA (XpressGRAPHICS) and Sound BlasterSound Blaster
The Sound Blaster family of sound cards was the de facto standard for consumer audio on the IBM PC compatible system platform, until the widespread transition to Microsoft Windows 95, which standardized the programming interface at application level , and the evolution in PC design led to onboard...
(XpressAUDIO). The access to the hardware resources traps via BIOS
BIOS
In IBM PC compatible computers, the basic input/output system , also known as the System BIOS or ROM BIOS , is a de facto standard defining a firmware interface....
and emulates in the System Management Mode
System Management Mode
System Management Mode is an operating mode in which all normal execution is suspended, and special separate software is executed in high-privilege mode. It was first released with the Intel 386SL...
(SMM), enabling it to execute transparently to the operating system, drivers and applications.
Media GX
- Manufacturing process: 0.4μ
- Cache: L1 16KB unified
- Core speed: 120, 133, 150 MHz
- Bus speed: 33 MHz
Media GXi
Cyrix MediaGXi is an improved version of the MediaGX.- Manufacturing process: 0.35μ
- Cache: L1 16KB unified
- Core speed: 120, 133, 150, 166, 180 MHz
MediaGXm
- Manufacturing process: 0.35μ 4-layer metal CMOS process
- Core speed: 180-300 MHz
- Bus speed: 33 MHz
- Cache:
- L1 cache size 16 KB write-back 4-way set associative unified I/D cache.
- Or 12-Kbyte unified L1 Cache and 4K scratchpad for SMM & Graphics.
- Integrated peripherals:
- PCI controller
- Display controller and 2D Graphics accelerator
- Hardware MPEG 1 supports full screen Video playback
- 16-bit audio subsystem Sound Blaster 16/PRO compatible
- 64-bit SDRAMSDRAMSynchronous dynamic random access memory is dynamic random access memory that is synchronized with the system bus. Classic DRAM has an asynchronous interface, which means that it responds as quickly as possible to changes in control inputs...
controller
- V core: 2.9V
- V I/O: 3.3V
- Package: 320-pin Ceramic PGA; 352-ball BGA
- System Chipset: Cx5520 352 pin BGA
National Semiconductor offered this processor under the name Geode GXM
Geode (processor)
Geode is a series of x86-compatible system-on-a-chip microprocessors and I/O companions produced by AMD, targeted at the embedded computing market....
.
Disadvantages
The MediaGX platform does not provide for external Level-2 cacheCache
In computer engineering, a cache is a component that transparently stores data so that future requests for that data can be served faster. The data that is stored within a cache might be values that have been computed earlier or duplicates of original values that are stored elsewhere...
memory, typical for motherboard designs of the period. All of the cache must be on the processor die.
MediaGX processors can only run on motherboards specifically designed for the same model of the processor due to tight integration between the processor and its companion chipset.
The graphics, sound, and PCI bus ran at the same speed as the processor clock also due to tight integration. This made the processor appear much slower than its actual rated speed. However, the graphics system is able to use the main system memory providing for significant cost savings on the basic systems and embedded controllers in the market for this platform.
See also
- CyrixCyrixCyrix Corporation was a microprocessor developer that was founded in 1988 in Richardson, Texas as a specialist supplier of high-performance math coprocessors for 286 and 386 microprocessors. The company was founded by former Texas Instruments staff members and had a long but troubled relationship...
- Cyrix Cx5x86Cyrix Cx5x86Released in August 1995, four months before the more famous Cyrix 6x86, the Cyrix 5x86 was one of the fastest CPUs ever produced for Socket 3 computer systems...
- National SemiconductorNational SemiconductorNational Semiconductor was an American semiconductor manufacturer, that specialized in analog devices and subsystems,formerly headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA. The products of National Semiconductor included power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational amplifiers,...
- Geode (processor)Geode (processor)Geode is a series of x86-compatible system-on-a-chip microprocessors and I/O companions produced by AMD, targeted at the embedded computing market....
- AMD
External links
- GXM Product Folder at National Semiconductor (archived version 2007)
- AMD Geode Solutions
- Cyrix MediaGX and National Semiconductor Geode Information
- Cyrix MediaGX
- Cyrix