8085 vs. 8086 — What's the Difference?

The 8085 and 8086 are iconic microprocessors developed by Intel. The 8085, launched in the mid-1970s, is an 8-bit microprocessor. This means it can process 8 bits of data in a single cycle. On the contrary, the 8086, introduced a few years later in the late 1970s, is a 16-bit microprocessor, capable of processing 16 bits of data concurrently.

When discussing the memory addressing capability, the 8085 can address up to 65,536 memory locations directly. This is due to its 16-bit address bus, even though it's an 8-bit processor. The 8086, being a 16-bit processor, has a larger memory addressing capability. With its 20-bit address bus, it can address up to 1,048,576 memory locations directly.

In terms of instruction set, the 8085 possesses a smaller instruction set compared to the 8086. The 8085 was designed primarily for simpler applications, and its instruction set reflects that simplicity. On the other hand, the 8086 offers a more extensive and versatile instruction set, enabling it to cater to more complex computing needs.

The 8085 operates with a single 5V power supply, making it quite energy efficient for its time. In contrast, the 8086 requires multiple voltage levels, which can make its power supply needs slightly more complicated. Finally, while both the 8085 and 8086 were groundbreaking in their eras, the 8086 was particularly influential in paving the way for the modern PC industry, due to its enhanced capabilities and broader application range.