8085 vs 8086 Microprocessor: Key Differences in Architecture and Programming

This article will talk about the 8085 vs 8086 Microprocessor. Intel created the 8086 microprocessor in 1976 as an improved version of the 8085 microprocessor. This 16-bit microprocessor has 16 data lines and 20 address lines, which allows it to store up to 1MB of data. It has a strong instruction set that makes it simple to perform operations like division and multiplication.

8085 vs 8086 Microprocessor

It can function in two different modes: maximum and minimum. Systems with multiple processors can benefit from maximum mode, while systems with a single processor can benefit from minimum mode.

8085 vs 8086: Key Differences in Architecture and Programming

One cannot do anything on your computer without a microprocessor, which is a crucial component of computer design. It is a programmable gadget that receives input, applies arithmetic and logic to it, and outputs the intended result. The Intel company produces the well-known 8085 and 8086 microprocessors. Although they have many characteristics and belong to the same family, their goals differ, as do their structures and functions. For anyone working in system development or hardware design, comparing the architectures of the 8085 and 8086 microprocessors is particularly helpful because it helps determine which processor to utilise based on the situation.

The 8085 Microprocessor: What is It?

Intel developed the 8085 microprocessor in 1976 as a forerunner to the 8086 microprocessor using NMOS technology. It runs at 3.2 MHz single segment CLK and has an 8-bit data bus and a 16-bit address bus. Its voltage source is +5V.

It has an inbuilt clock generator and operates on a clock cycle with a 50% duty cycle. The 8085 microprocessor has 80 instructions and 246 operating codes in total.

Advantages of 8085 Microprocessor

  • Low Power Consumption: It can be utilised in small embedded systems and related projects because it requires less power to operate.
  • Simple Architecture: In basic applications, the 8085 is easier to understand and has a simpler design and execution.
  • Broadly Used in Education: It is taught at academic institutions largely because to its programmability and simplicity of use.

Disadvantages of 8085 Microprocessor

  • Limited Processing Power: In 8085 vs 8086, Compared to contemporary microprocessors, it has a limited performance because it was built as an 8-bit microprocessor, which uses fewer bits and less data.
  • Limited Memory Addressing: The 8085’s inability to handle increasingly complex systems due to its 64 K memory address limit is another drawback.
  • Slower Speed: Compared to modern processors, the 8085’s clock speed of 3 MHz is much slower.

The 8086 Microprocessor: What is It?

An improved variant of the 8085 microprocessor, the 8086 was developed by Intel in 1976. The number 8086 is the IC number for this CPU. This microprocessor has 16 bits. Its 16-bit data bus allows it to read or write 16 or 8 bits of data at once. It can reach 220 address locations with its 20 bits of address lines.

It has two modes of operation: Maximum Mode and Minimum Mode

Advantages of 8086 Microprocessor

  • Greater Memory Addressing: For other complex systems, the 8086’s ability to address up to 1 megabyte of memory space is advantageous.
  • Supports Multitasking: The 8086 is a good choice for complex computing structures because it can perform a number of tasks more effectively than microprocessors with simpler architectures.
  • Enhance or Better Performance: In 8085 vs 8086, The 8086’s 16-bit architecture enables it to manage larger necessary data sizes and more complex arithmetic operations.
  • Faster Speed: The 8086 outperforms the 8085 in terms of performance and can run at up to 10 MHz.

Disadvantages of 8086 Microprocessor

  • Increased electricity Consumption: In 8085 vs 8086, The 8086 CPU uses more electricity than the 8080 because it is faster and has more processing power. This is simply another drawback.
  • More Complex design: When it comes to programming requirements, 8086’s design is far more complex than 8085’s, making it more difficult to understand and utilise.
  • Costlier to Implement: Because the 8086 is a more complex and demanding chip to interface with, it requires a greater amount of resources to implement, which raises the cost of doing so.

8085 vs 8086: Key Differences in Architecture

In 8085 vs 8086, Some of the major differences are mentioned below

  • Type: An 8-bit microprocessor is type 8085, and a 16-bit microprocessor is type 8086. The primary distinction between the 8085 and 8086 microprocessors is thus this.
  • Bus Address: Additionally, the address bus of the 8086 microprocessor is 20-bit, while that of the 8085 microprocessor is 16-bit.
  • The data bus: Additionally, the 8086 has a 16-bit address bus and the 8085 has an 8-bit data bus.
  • Additionally, pipelining is not supported by the 8085 CPU, although it is supported by the 8086. Thus, this is yet another distinction between the 8085 and 8086 microprocessors.

In 8085 vs 8086, for more detail check the table below.

Property 8085 Microprocessor 8086 Microprocessor
Size of Data Bus 8-bit 16-bit
Size of Address Bus 16-bit 20-bit
Clock Speed 3MHz Varies in range 5.8 – 10 MHz
Duty Cycle for clock 50% 33%
Flags Sign, Zero, Auxiliary Carry, Parity, and Carry are its five flags. Overflow, Direction, Interrupt, Trap, Sign, Zero, Auxiliary Carry, Parity, Carry are its 9 flags
Pipelining Support Does not support Supports
Segmentation supports for Memory Does not support Supports
Number of transistors Nearly 6500 Nearly 29000
Processor type Accumulator based General Purpose register based
Presence of Minimum and Maximum mode Not present Present
Number of processors Only one processor is used More than one processor is used. Additional processor (external) can also be employed
Memory Size 64KB 1MB
Instruction No multiplication and division instruction Multiplication and Division operations are present
Instruction Queue Support Does not support Supports
Arithmetic support Only integers and decimal values Integers, decimal and ASCII values
Input/output devices 2^8 = 256 IO devices 2^16 = 65536 IO devices

8085 vs 8086: Key Differences in Programming and Performance

In 8085 vs 8086, there are major key differences in programming and performance and in order to know that in detail check the table below.

Feature 8085 8086
Programming Model Simple Powerful but more complex as compared to 8085
Execution Speed Slower 16-bit operations and pipelining make it faster.
Assembly Language Basic Richer with more addressing modes and instructions

8085 vs 8086: Key Differences in Hardware and System

In 8085 vs 8086, there are major key differences in Hardware and System and in order to know that in detail check the table below.

Feature 8085 8086
Interrupts 5 – Vectored 5 – Hardware, 256 – Software
Co-processor Support No Yes (e.g., 8087 math co-processor)
Multiprocessor Support No Yes (via Minimum and Maximum modes)
Pin Count 40 40

Conclusion

In terms of architecture, performance, and usability, 8085 and 8086 are not the same. The offered 8085 is more appropriate for small and medium-sized embedded systems as well as educational systems because it is simpler, uses less power, and is more appropriate. The 8086, on the other hand, is better suited for complex systems and multitasking because it has more capacity, larger memory, and faster processing. Whether one wants to create a high-performance application or one that is relatively simple will determine whether to use native or hybrid techniques.