Intel 8088
TLDR: The Intel 8088 is an 8-bit external bus variant of the Intel 8086 microprocessor, introduced by Intel in 1979. While it shares the same 16-bit internal architecture and instruction set as the 8086, its 8-bit data bus was designed to lower costs and simplify system design, making it a practical choice for early personal computers. The Intel 8088 gained widespread recognition as the processor chosen for the original IBM PC, solidifying its place in computing history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8088
The Intel 8088 retains the 20-bit address bus of the 8086, allowing it to address up to 1 MB of memory. Its 8-bit external data bus made it compatible with existing 8-bit components and peripherals, reducing hardware complexity. This design choice enabled the Intel 8088 to be more cost-effective than the 8086, a key factor in its adoption by IBM for their personal computers launched in 1981. This decision greatly influenced the growth of the PC market and the proliferation of the x86 architecture.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/docs/processors/8088-architecture.html
Despite its reduced bus width, the Intel 8088 provided sufficient performance for early computing needs. It supported the same segmented memory model and instruction set architecture as the 8086, ensuring software compatibility. This compatibility allowed programs written for the 8086 to run on the 8088 without modifications, fostering software development and standardization. The legacy of the Intel 8088 is evident in the dominance of the x86 family of processors, which remains a cornerstone of modern computing.