Geode (processor)

Lore & Background

The Geode series began as a National Semiconductor product line in 1999, based on the Cyrix MediaGX platform acquired during National's merger with Cyrix in 1997. AMD bought the Geode business in August 2003 to complement its own embedded x86 line, which had included the AMD Élan family of 32-bit embedded SoCs based on the Am386, Am486 and Am586 microprocessors. After the acquisition, AMD expanded the series into two classes: the MediaGX-derived Geode GX and LX, and the modern Athlon-derived Geode NX.

Geode processors are optimized for low power consumption and low cost while maintaining x86 compatibility. The MediaGX-derived processors lack modern features such as SSE and a large on-die L1 cache, but these are offered on the Athlon-derived Geode NX. The processors integrate functions normally provided by a separate chipset, such as the northbridge. The SCxxxx range of Geode devices are single-chip versions comparable to the SiS 552, VIA CoreFusion or Intel's Tolapai, integrating CPU, memory controller, graphics and I/O into one package.

The One Laptop per Child project used the GX series in OLPC XO-1 prototypes and moved to the Geode LX for production. The Linutop and 3Com Audrey also used Geode processors. Single-board computers based on these processors are manufactured by Artec Group, PC Engines (WRAP), Soekris, and Win Enterprises.

Reader's Guide

The Geode series holds significance as a low-power, x86-compatible embedded processor line that served diverse applications from thin clients and set-top boxes to the OLPC XO-1 laptop and the Nao robot. Its lineage traces back to the Cyrix MediaGX, and after AMD's acquisition, it was expanded with the Athlon-derived Geode NX for higher-performance embedded tasks such as casino gaming machines and information kiosks. The Geode GX and LX faced competitive pressure from VIA on the x86 side and from ARM processors taking low-end business. AMD closed the Geode design center in Longmont, Colorado, relocating 75 employees to Fort Collins, and indicated in 2009 that no future microarchitecture upgrades were planned. However, the processors remained available, with the LX series' last-time buy extended through 2019. In early 2018, hardware manufacturer congatec announced an agreement with AMD for further extension of availability of its Geode-based platforms. The series was ultimately discontinued in 2019, marking the end of a line that bridged legacy x86 design with modern embedded needs.

Did You Know?

• The Geode GXm returns 'CyrixInstead' on CPUID.
• The Geode LX includes a 128-bit AES encryption module.
• The Geode NX is based on the Athlon K7 Thoroughbred core.
• The OLPC XO-1 production units used the Geode LX processor.