What is the difference between the Intel 80486 and the Intel Pentium?
They are two different companies. Cyrix is a smaller company,
their processors are not as performant as Intel ones, however they
would exponse exactly the same set of instructions. Regardless the
lack of performance compared with Intel, Cyrix had a very good
market in the mid 90s, for people that did not have the money to
purchase Intel. Instead of purchasing an Intel at 166 Mhz with 400
dollars, one could purchase a Cyrix at 150 Mhz for only 99 dollars.
Of course, the performance of the cyrix would be far smaller, but
the price difference would make it worthwile. Had a Cyrix between
97 and 2000. Was very happy with it.