A quick look at the pinouts of an Intel 8086 & 8088 processor reveals a 20 bit address bus. There was high demand for the ability to address 1 meg (2^20) of address space, and Intel delivered.

The Intel 8086 was the first x86 processor, setting the stage for modern Intel processors we use today. Its 16-bit architecture and CISC design made it versatile for both personal and business ...