Am286

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Am286 processor. The IC socket on the left can be used to add an 80287 coprocessor.
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Am286 processor. The IC socket on the left can be used to add an 80287 coprocessor.

AMD started in the x86 business as a second-source manufacturer for Intel's chip designs. IBM demanded all suppliers have a second manufacturing source, and Intel had to license another company to secure the IBM PC contract. The Am286 was a result of this contract.

Essentially just an 80286, the Am286 was in reality Intel-designed all the way, pin and instruction compatible, based upon Intel's microcode. The chip was later sold by AMD as an embedded processor.