By its 50th anniversary, Intel launches collectible computers based on its x86 processors, starting at 286

In July 2018, Intel is 50 years old. Such a date only happens once in a lifetime, so they began to prepare for it in advance. And now we can talk about the main gift that the company has prepared for enthusiasts-amateurs. Very soon, collectible computers based on processors will be on sale, starting with the i286 and ending with the Intel Pentium, as well as the peripherals and software kits necessary for their work.
The idea of ​​the main action of the project called “Intel at 50” (Intel @ 50) lay on the surface. Intel is engaged in a variety of hardware and software technologies, but if we talk about its mission - there can be no two opinions. Intel did not just go down in the history of processor design - it actually created it. But the implementation of the idea turned out to be far from simple - the preparation was delayed for 2 years and took place in an atmosphere of strict secrecy.
The post was published on April 1 - do not forget about it, please.

Such a long time it took the Intel team to overcome various technological problems. Let's start directly with the processor. Unfortunately, the production facilities that serve the current needs of the company, you can not recreate samples of 30 years ago - too different technological processes. The templates and matrices of old products, of course, have been preserved; there is also a complete set of documentation, but who will undertake to reanimate production from the past millennium? Fortunately, Chinese manufacturers still work with a variety of process technology - not always needed limit nanometers. Thus, it was possible not only to set up production, but also to reach the required level of quality, because the Intel logo will be on the processor, and this requires.


Newly played i486 processor

From the variety of processors of the 80s, for economic and technological reasons, four were chosen:

CPU	Year of issue	Data bus	Technical process	Frequency
i80286	1982	16 bits	1500 nm	16 MHz
i80386DX	1985	32 bits	1000 nm	40 MHz
i80486DX	1989	32 bits	800 nm	50 MHz
Pentium i	1993	32 bits	800 nm	66 MHz

However, to make processors is to do only half the work: by themselves, they are suitable only as a souvenir. It was necessary to organize the production of motherboards and housings for all types of processors on an affordable element base, while maintaining characteristics close to the original. To work on the project was assembled a team of engineers who had previously worked on Intel motherboards.


Project base motherboard

To facilitate the task, it was decided to use a single reference design of Intel motherboards for i486 computers with the necessary tuning for each generation. The engineers had to solve more than unusual tasks - it is unlikely that they will meet them again. It was necessary to ensure the functionality of vintage PCs using the most authentic components, using modern ones in the case when relatives are unavailable. This meant, in particular, that all the functionality had to be focused on the motherboard - an exception was made only for video cards, the design of which could be restored using Intel archive materials.

It was decided to abandon the production of some components for economic reasons or, if you like, from the point of view of common sense. Let's say, theoretically, you can restart the production of disk drives and 5.25 "floppy disks or CRT monitors, but will they be in demand at the price offered? Therefore, it was decided to limit the model of disk drives and the standard VGA connector for connecting a monitor of your choice.

When choosing a PC case, they also preferred the authenticity of external showiness. The well-known IBM PC with a rigorous traditional design (you can see it on the KDPV) was used as a template. On the side wall put the logo of the project, and on the front - a sticker, strictly repeating the inscription on the corresponding processor. The ODD / FDD set was chosen depending on the generation: for example, for the 486, this is an optical CD-R and two 3.5 "drives.

The following options for Intel @ 50 computers will be available:

Model	Equipment	Price
i @ 50-286	16 MHz processor, 1 MB RAM, 16 MB HDD, FDD 3.5 ”, FDD 5.25” cap, keyboard, MS-DOS	$ 799
i @ 50-386dx	40 MHz processor, 4 MB RAM, 16 MB HDD, 2xFDD 3.5 ”, keyboard, mouse, MS-DOS	$ 799
i @ 50-486dx	50 MHz processor, 8 MB RAM, 32 MB HDD, 2xFDD 3.5 ”, CD-ROM, keyboard, mouse, Windows 3.1	$ 899
i @ 50-586	66 MHz processor, 16 MB RAM, 64 MB HDD, 2xFDD 3.5 ”, CD-ROM, keyboard, mouse, Windows 95	$ 999

Currently, the preparation of jubilee software kits is underway. Its structure will include games, office programs, and also development tools of that time. Sales of the Intel @ 50 series will begin in Q3 2018.