The document provides an overview of the Intel x86 platform, including its history and components. It discusses how the x86 architecture was introduced by Intel in 1978 and has since evolved through various processor models. The key components of the x86 platform are the processor, memory hierarchy consisting of caches and RAM, and input/output interfaces like PCI, USB, and SATA. The document also outlines some important milestones in the development of the x86 platform.

1. VIRTUAL SYSTEM AND SERVICES(ITCC-403)

2. Overview Of Intel x86
Platform
Submitted By: Kiran Shehzadi
Submitted To: Sir Hammad Zafar

3. Content
• Introduction
• Historical Background of Intel x86 Platform
• Components of Intel x86 Platform
• Operating Systems and Software Applications for Intel x86
Platform
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Intel x86 Platform
• Future of Intel x86 Platform

4. INTRODUCTION
The Intel x86 platform is a family of microprocessors that has
dominated the personal computing market for decades. The x86
architecture has been in use since the early 1980s, and has evolved
over time to meet the changing needs of the computing industry. In
this overview, we will take a look at the history of the x86 platform,
its architecture, and its current state in the market.

5. What is Intel?
Intel Corp. is the world's largest manufacturer of central processing
units and semiconductors. The company is best known for CPUs
based on its x86 architecture, which was created in the 1980s and
has been continuously modified, revised and modernized.
Intel also offers graphics processing units (GPUs), networking
accelerators, and communications and security products.

6. What is x86 Platform?
x86 is a computer platform whose processor is based on the Intel
386 architecture microprocessor. The x86, or Intel, platform is one
of the two processor platforms supported by Microsoft Windows NT
and above (the other being the Alpha platform) and the only
processor platform supported by Microsoft Windows 2000.

7. Definition of Intel x86 Platform:
The Intel x86 platform is a family of processors developed by Intel
Corporation. It is widely used in personal computers and servers and
is known for its performance, scalability, and versatility. It supports
both 32-bit and 64-bit computing, runs multiple threads of
execution, and supports a wide range of peripheral devices.

8. Importance of Understanding x86 Platform:
• The x86 platform is widely used in desktop and laptop computers.
• Understanding x86 architecture is crucial for computer
engineering, programming, and IT fields.
• Many software applications are designed for x86 platform, making
compatibility and optimization important.
• Understanding x86 can lead to improved performance and security
measures.
• Legacy systems still use x86 architecture, making it important for
maintenance and upgrades.
• Overall, understanding the x86 platform is essential for success in
various computing fields.

9. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF INTEL X86
PLATFORM
❖ History
❖ Intel x86 Evolution
❖ Key milestones in the development of Intel x86 platform

10. History:
The x86 platform was first introduced by Intel in 1978, with the
release of the Intel 8086 microprocessor. This processor was
designed to be used in personal computers, and was the first in a
long line of processors that would come to define the x86 platform.
The 8086 was a 16-bit processor, which meant that it could process
data in chunks of 16 bits at a time. This was a significant
improvement over previous microprocessors, which typically
processed data in 8-bit chunks.

11. History (cont.)
Over the years, Intel continued to develop and improve the x86
platform, releasing a number of new processors with increasingly
powerful capabilities. The 80286, released in 1982, was the first
processor in the x86 family to support protected mode, which
allowed for multitasking and increased memory addressing
capabilities. The 80386, released in 1985, was the first processor in
the x86 family to support 32-bit processing, which enabled even
greater computing power and improved performance.

12. Intel x86 Evolution:
First microprocessor was intel 4004 designed by Federico Faggin in
1971.

13. Key milestones in the development of Intel
x86 platform:
• In 1978, Intel introduced the 8086 microprocessor, which marked
the beginning of the x86 architecture and laid the foundation for
future developments.
• The 80286 processor, introduced in 1982, brought significant
improvements in performance and added support for protected
mode, which enabled the development of multitasking operating
systems.
• In 1985, Intel released the 386 processor, which introduced 32-bit
processing and virtual memory support, making it a significant
milestone in the x86 architecture.

14. • The 486 processor, introduced in 1989, brought further
improvements in performance and added support for
hardware-based floating-point calculations.
• The Pentium processor, introduced in 1993, brought
significant improvements in performance and added
support for multimedia instructions, such as MMX.
• In the following years, Intel continued to develop and
refine the x86 architecture, introducing new processors
with faster clock speeds, more cache, and improved
power efficiency.

15. COMPONENTS OF INTEL X86 PLATFORM
❖ Processor
❖ Memory Hierarchy
❖ Input/output Interfaces
❖Bus Architecture

16. Processor:
In the Intel x86 platform, the processor is the central processing
unit (CPU) that performs most of the processing operations. The x86
architecture is based on a family of processors that includes the
8086, 80286, 80386, 80486, Pentium, and more recently, the Core
series of processors.
The x86 processor is composed of several key components,
including:
❑ Instruction Execution Unit (IEU): This is the part of the
processor that executes instructions. It is responsible for
performing arithmetic and logical operations, accessing memory
and performing other tasks required by the instructions.

17. ❑ Control Unit (CU): The control unit is responsible for
managing the execution of instructions. It receives
instructions from memory, decodes them, and directs the
IEU to execute the instruction.
❑ Registers: Registers are small amounts of high-speed
memory that are used by the processor to store data that
it needs to access frequently. The x86 architecture has
several types of registers, including general-purpose
registers, segment registers, and control registers.
❑ Cache: The processor has a cache memory that stores
frequently used data and instructions to speed up the
execution of programs.

18. ❑ Memory Management Unit (MMU): The MMU is responsible for
managing memory access and translation between physical
memory addresses and virtual memory addresses.
❑ Bus Interface Unit (BIU): The BIU is responsible for managing
data transfers between the processor and other components,
including memory and peripheral devices.
Overall, the x86 processor is a complex and powerful component
that forms the core of the Intel x86 platform. Its design and
capabilities have evolved over time, allowing for greater
processing power and efficiency.

19. Memory Hierarchy:
In the Intel x86 platform, the memory hierarchy typically consists of
four levels:
❑ Level 1 (L1) Cache: This is the smallest and fastest type of
memory, located on the processor chip itself. The L1 cache is split
into two parts, the instruction cache and the data cache. The
instruction cache stores recently used instructions, while the data
cache stores recently used data. The size of L1 cache varies from
one processor to another, but typically ranges from 16KB to 64KB.
❑ Level 2 (L2) Cache: This is a larger, slower type of memory that
is located on the processor chip or on a separate chip. The L2
cache stores data that is not frequently used, but may be needed
in the future. The size of L2 cache ranges from 256KB to 4MB.

20. ❑ Main Memory (RAM): This is the main storage area for data and
programs on a computer. It is larger and slower than the cache
memory, but it can hold much more data. The amount of RAM on
a computer can range from 2GB to 64GB or more.
❑ Storage Devices: These are devices that provide long-term
storage for data, such as hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and
optical drives. They are much slower than RAM but can store
much larger amounts of data. The amount of storage on a
computer can range from a few hundred gigabytes to several
terabytes or more.

21. Input/output Interfaces:
The Intel x86 platform has several input/output (I/O) interfaces
that are used to connect various peripherals and devices to the
system. Some of the commonly used I/O interfaces in Intel x86
platform are:
❑ Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI): It is a local bus
standard used for attaching hardware devices to a computer
motherboard. PCI is used for attaching devices like graphics cards,
sound cards, and network adapters.
❑ Universal Serial Bus (USB): It is a serial bus standard used to
connect devices to a host controller. USB is used for connecting
devices like keyboards, mice, printers, and external hard drives.

22. ❑ Serial ATA (SATA): It is a computer bus interface that connects
host bus adapters to mass storage devices like hard disk drives and
optical drives.
❑ Small Computer System Interface (SCSI): It is a set of standards
for physically connecting and transferring data between
computers and peripheral devices. SCSI is commonly used for high-
performance storage devices like hard disk drives, tape drives,
and optical drives.
❑ Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE): It is a standard interface used
to connect storage devices like hard disk drives and CD/DVD drives
to a computer motherboard.

23. ❑ Parallel Port: It is a type of interface used for connecting
devices like printers and scanners to a computer. Parallel ports
are not commonly used anymore due to the popularity of USB.
❑ PS/2: It is a type of interface used to connect keyboards and
mice to a computer. PS/2 ports are not commonly used anymore
due to the popularity of USB.
These are some of the commonly used input/output interfaces in
Intel x86 platform.

24. Bus Architecture:
The bus architecture in the Intel x86 platform refers to the way that
various components within a computer system communicate with
each other. In an x86-based system, the bus architecture typically
includes the following buses:
❑ System Bus: Also known as the Front-Side Bus (FSB), this bus
connects the CPU to the system memory and other system
components, such as the chipset and input/output controllers.
❑ Memory Bus: This bus connects the memory controller to the
system memory modules, allowing the CPU to read and write data
from/to memory.

25. ❑ Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Bus: This bus is
used to connect various peripheral devices, such as graphics
cards, sound cards, and network adapters, to the system.
❑ Direct Media Interface (DMI) Bus: This bus connects the CPU
to the chipset, allowing communication between the CPU and
other components on the motherboard.
❑ Quick Path Interconnect (QPI) Bus: This bus is used in some
higher-end x86-based systems, such as Intel's Xeon processors,
to connect multiple CPUs and other high-speed components.
These buses work together to provide a high-speed, reliable
communication pathway between the various components within
an x86-based system.

26. OPERATING SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE
APPLICATIONS FOR INTEL X86 PLATFORM
❖ Overview of operating systems designed for Intel x86 Platform
❖ Popular software applications that run on Intel x86 Platform

27. Overview of operating systems designed for Intel
x86 Platform:
• Windows, Linux, and macOS are popular operating systems for the
x86 platform.
• FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD are popular open-source
alternatives.
• DOS is a legacy operating system that still has some uses on the
x86 platform.
• The x86 platform is versatile and widely used.
• Different operating systems have different strengths and
weaknesses.
• Users can choose the operating system that best suits their needs.

28. Popular software applications that run on
Intel x86 Platform:
• Microsoft Windows Operating System - Widely used operating system
for personal computers and servers.
• Microsoft Office Suite - Collection of productivity applications including
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.
• Adobe Creative Suite - Collection of graphic design, video editing, and
web development applications.
• Google Chrome - Popular web browser developed by Google.
• Mozilla Firefox - Open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla
Foundation.
• VLC Media Player - Open-source multimedia player that supports various
audio and video formats.
• Skype - VoIP application for making video and voice calls over the
internet.

29. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF INTEL
X86 PLATFORM
❖ Advantages of Intel x86 Platform
❖ Disadvantages of Intel x86 Platform

30. Advantages of Intel x86 Platform:
• Widely adopted: x86 architecture is the most commonly used
architecture in personal computers and servers.
• Compatibility: x86 CPUs can run both 32-bit and 64-bit software,
offering backward compatibility.
• Performance: x86 CPUs provide excellent performance for a wide
range of applications due to their optimized instruction set.
• Affordability: x86 CPUs are widely available and more affordable
than some alternative architectures.
• Expandability: x86 platforms offer expandability options for users
to add more hardware components and upgrade their systems.

31. Disadvantages of Intel x86 Platform:
• Limited scalability: x86 architecture has a limited ability to scale
up, making it unsuitable for high-performance computing tasks.
• High power consumption: Compared to other architectures, x86
is known for its high power consumption, which can be a
significant disadvantage in battery-powered devices.
• Proprietary technology: The x86 platform is owned by Intel, and
their dominance in the market can limit competition and
innovation.
• Security vulnerabilities: x86 processors have been known to have
security vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by hackers to gain
unauthorized access to systems.

32. FUTURE OF INTEL X86 PLATFORM
The future of the Intel x86 platform remains uncertain, with some
predicting its gradual decline as new architectures emerge.
However, Intel continues to invest in the platform, and it remains a
dominant force in the PC and server markets. Additionally, the
release of new processors with improved performance, power
efficiency, and security features could help sustain the platform's
relevance in the years to come. Ultimately, the future of the x86
platform will depend on factors such as market demand,
technological advancements, and competition from
other architectures.

33. Emerging technologies that will impact
Intel x86 Platform:
❑ Quantum computing: As quantum computing advances, it has the
potential to render traditional x86 processors obsolete in certain
applications.
❑ Neuromorphic computing: Neuromorphic computing could offer
a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional x86 processors
for AI and machine learning workloads.
❑ Edge computing: The rise of edge computing could drive demand
for more powerful and efficient x86 processors in IOT and other
edge devices.

34. ❑ 5G: 5G networks could create new opportunities for x86
processors in areas such as autonomous vehicles and smart
cities.
❑ Memory-centric computing: Intel is exploring memory-
centric computing, which could represent a fundamental
shift in how data is processed and stored, and could impact
the design of x86 processors