Intel 8080

The Intel 8080 is Intel's second 8-bit microprocessor. Introduced in April 1974, the 8080 was an enhanced non-binary compatible successor to the earlier Intel 8008 microprocessor. Originally intended for use in embedded systems such as calculators, cash registers, computer terminals, and industrial robots, its performance soon led to adoption in a broader range of systems, ultimately launching the microcomputer industry.

Several key design choices contributed to the 8080’s success. Its 40‑pin package simplified interfacing compared to the 8008’s 18‑pin design, enabling a more efficient data bus. The transition to NMOS technology provided faster transistor speeds than the 8008's PMOS, also making it TTL compatible. An expanded instruction set and a full 16-bit address bus allowed the 8080 to access up to 64 KB of memory, quadrupling the capacity of its predecessor. A broader selection of support chips further enhanced its functionality. Many of these improvements stemmed from customer feedback, as designer Federico Faggin and others at Intel heard from industry about shortcomings in the 8008 architecture.