Released in 1974, the Intel 8080 was the first true general-purpose microprocessor, transforming chips from disposable components to versatile, multi-purpose processors. 24 Channels.

The 8080 was a direct response to the limitations of its predecessors, the Intel 4004 and 8008, which were originally designed for specific devices such as Busicom’s 141-PF typing calculator and Computer Terminal Corporation’s Datapoint 2200.

Chief designer Federico Faggin (Federico Faggin), who also worked on the 4004 and 8008, took customer feedback into account when developing the 8080.

Federico Fagin – Intel 8080 designer / Photo wikipedia

Unlike previous models, the 8080 was capable of 290,000 operations per second (10 times more than the 8008) and featured a more convenient 40-pin configuration for easier connectivity.

The increased speed, flexibility, and auxiliary support made it a true single-chip microprocessor, ushering in a new era in computer development.

The processor that changed the industry

The 8080’s impact was profound. Unlike previous processors that were made to order for specific customers, the 8080 was a universal chip that anyone could use. For $360, companies can program the 8080 to handle a wide range of tasks, sparking a wave of innovation in consumer electronics, personal computers and software development.

Intel 8080 / Photo Wikipedia

The chip’s influence extended to the development of the x86 architecture, which remains the most common processor architecture in the world today. The company says today’s Intel chips, including those used in home computers, cars, servers and connected devices, still carry the “genetics” of the 8080.

An exhibit at the Intel Museum showcases early 8080-based devices. One of the most iconic examples is the Altair 8800 personal computer introduced by MITS in 1975.

Altair 8800 / Photo: Intel

At $439, the Altair 8800 was significantly cheaper than commercial computers of the period and could cost up to $30,000. However, the Altair 8800 was far from user-friendly; It had no keyboard or monitor, and users had to install them themselves.

But it still laid the foundation for today’s personal computers, which are now faster and more affordable than ever before. By comparison, the Intel 8080’s maximum clock speed is 2 MHz, while modern Intel Core Ultra processors reach speeds of 5.7 GHz (5700 MHz).

The 8080’s legacy also extends to cash registers. Early electronic cash registers, such as the Hugin Model 150 from Swedish manufacturer Hugin, were among the first to use the 8080 chip. These early devices were limited in functionality, but the 8080 enabled more complex functions such as digital displays and credit card transactions.

Hugin Model 150 / Photo: Intel

Today, Intel Core i3 processors power the majority of self-service cash registers and POS terminals used in modern retail.

From Intel 8080 to Core Ultra 200S / Photo: Intel

Impact on the video game industry

Another turning point for the 8080 was its use in arcade games. This processor powered Midway Games’ Gun Fight (also known as Western Gun), the first commercial arcade game to use a microprocessor instead of discrete logic circuits.

Gun Battle arcade machine / Photo: Intel

The game, which featured a duel between two cowboys, was a huge success and thousands of arcade machines were sold between 1975 and 1976.

Fifty years later, the impact of the Intel 8080 is unmistakable. From personal computers to cash registers, video games and connected devices, this chip’s legacy lives on in today’s processors, which are becoming exponentially faster and more powerful.