How is Cyrix able to sell CPUs for less than Intel?
A. The 6×86 is not only the first Pentium class processor that exceeds the performance of a comparable Intel processor, but it does so using a manufacturing technology that is one full generation behind the technology used by Intel. The first 6×86 samples and the 100-120 MHz parts were manufactured using a 0.6 micron technology. The 133-150 MHz parts up to revision 2.7 were manufactured using a 0.5 micron technology. The revision 3.7 and above parts are a 10% optical shrinked design and were manufactured using a 0.44 micron technology. The revision 4.2 (6x86L) parts are manufactured using a 0.35 micron technology. This means that Cyrix gets faster chips and higher margins at a much lower cost. Getting more performance out of a less aggressive process technology makes it easier and cheaper to obtain manufacturing capacity. Additionally, Cyrix is able to get the capacity without having to pay an arm and a leg for it. By using a more advanced processor design instead of more advanced manu
