PC PARTPERFORMANCE
ProcessorsRECORD INTEL4004

Intel 4004

First commercial programmable microprocessor · MCS-4 · 4-bit

ManufacturerIntel
Released1971
PlatformMCS-4 · 4-bit

What it is

A processor handles game logic, operating-system work and general computation. Core count, clock behavior, cache, architecture and workload determine performance.

This catalog record identifies the Intel 4004 as First commercial programmable microprocessor. The figures below are reference specifications and should be read with the linked manufacturer source and record notes.

Specifications

Indexed values
CPU cores1
Clock speed0.11 MHz
Data width4 bit
Transistors2,300

Source notes

Calculator-era microprocessor included as the starting point of the commercial microprocessor timeline; it is not an IBM-compatible PC processor.

Open Intel source