1985

MIPS architecture launched

MIPS Computer Systems launched the MIPS I architecture in 1985 — one of the first commercial RISC designs; the R2000 chipset followed in May 1986.

What it is

The R2000 powered early MIPS workstations and embedded systems with a clean load-store RISC design — influencing academic computer architecture and commercial Unix boxes from DEC and SGI. MIPS variants later appeared in PlayStation, routers, and embedded devices. RISC principles from MIPS shaped ARM and every modern mobile CPU.

The MIPS R2000 was a landmark commercial RISC processor from Stanford research lineage.

It proved RISC designs could outperform complex CISC chips in workstations and embedded markets.

What it solved

Complex instruction sets were becoming harder to optimize for higher clock speeds.

Computer History Museum — RISC architectures (overview)

ImageMIPS Technologies

1985

MIPS architecture launched

MIPS Computer Systems launched the MIPS I architecture in 1985 — one of the first commercial RISC designs; the R2000 chipset followed in May 1986.

What it is

The MIPS R2000 was a landmark commercial RISC processor from Stanford research lineage.

It proved RISC designs could outperform complex CISC chips in workstations and embedded markets.

What it solved

Complex instruction sets were becoming harder to optimize for higher clock speeds.

Computer History Museum — RISC architectures (overview)

What it was for

Why it's here

Why it mattered

What it solved

Media

Related