| DraX |
http://www.pcmech.com/pics/mgx-tbsm.gif
An entry level processor built by Cyrix that gets a fair amount of attention is the MediaGX. This chip is different because it is highly integrated. It requires a special motherboard and is not Pin compatible with the Pentium. Besides the hassles, though, it is the cheapest route into a Pentium class system available on the market.
The price of this chip attracted Compaq to it, and they use it in the Presario 2100 and 2200.
What makes this chip different is its integration. In one chip, Cyrix integrates the processor, based on the old Cyrix 5x86, with the graphics controller, DRAM controller, and PCI bus interface. For this reason, Cyrix has called this chip a "PC on a chip". The MediaGX, however, is not much of a performer. It is at the lowest end of the Pentium market. It has a low clock speed and has no support for USB, or MMX. It was originally clocked at 120 and 133 MHz, but more recently it has been released in 200 and 233 MHz versions. There is no 3D acceleration on the chip's display circuitry, so it wouldn't be a prime choice for a major game player.
Overall, I would not recommend this chip. It is too slow and once you have it, it is not upgradeable unless you buy a whole new motherboard and all the other parts needed to take over for the MediaGX's integration. It is OK for the business machine, but not much beyond that.
The MediaGX, like the 5x86, is a non-issue now. When Via bought Cyrix, National Semiconductor retained rights to the integrated CPUs, including the MediaGX. To this date, nothing has been done to further it. |
