The Intel 8080 is a seminal CPU introduced in 1974 that gave rise to the personal computer/home computer/microcomputer revolution.
The 8080 is often said to be the "first truly usable microprocessor".
Incorporated in early home computers like the Altair 8800, the 8080 ultimately led to the machine code-compatible, but more powerful clone Zilog Z80, which was of course also used in the Amstrad CPC and Sinclair ZX Spectrum among others. (Note that 8080 assembly language looks different from Z80 mnemonics; e.g. the Z80 uses LD whereas the 8080 has MOV and several other commands.)
CP/M required an 8080 or Z80 CPU and between 1976 and about 1983, microcomputers with a Z80 that ran CP/M were the norm before the market shifted to MS-DOS.
Technology
The 8008 was built with PMOS circuitry, while the 8080 was built with NMOS, which provided much superior performance.
NMOS became the standard microprocessor technology until the rise of CMOS in the 1980s, combining NMOS and PMOS to dramatically reduce power consumption.
Links
- Intel 8080 at the English-language Wikipedia
- Intel 8080A datasheet
- 8080 assembly language programming manual
- 8080 Systems User's Manual Contains a detailed breakdown of machine cycles
- Mapping between i8080 and Z80 mnemonics
- i8080 opcode map
- 8080 CPU Exerciser
- Oral history collection: Intel 8080