←back to thread

Notes on the Pentium's microcode circuitry

(www.righto.com)
180 points leotravis10 | 1 comments | 31 Mar 25 18:35 UTC | HN request time: 0.221s | source
Show context
kens ◴[31 Mar 25 18:51 UTC] No.43538380[source]▶
Author here for your Pentium questions :-)
replies(5): >>43538815 #>>43539018 #>>43539219 #>>43539806 #>>43542817 #
dreamcompiler ◴[01 Apr 25 04:20 UTC] No.43542817[source]▶
Isn't the Pentium's microcode upgradable? Or is that only in later chips?

These fixed transistors imply no upgradability.

replies(1): >>43543118 #
kens ◴[01 Apr 25 05:23 UTC] No.43543118[source]▶
Microcode updates were first implemented in the Pentium Pro. When the original Pentium had the infamous FDIV bug, the only fix was for Intel to replace the processors at a cost of $475 million.
replies(1): >>43543303 #
1. sroussey ◴[01 Apr 25 05:57 UTC] No.43543303[source]▶
Good thing win95 came out soon after and filled everyone’s coffers from new equipment buying