from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Matrix Math eXtensions
MMX
MMX technology
MultiMedia Extension
<processor> (MMX) (NOT an acronym for "MultiMedia eXtension",
according to Intel, but an Intel brand name) A set of 57 extra
instructions built into some versions of {Intel}'s {Pentium}
{microprocessors} for supporting {SIMD} operations on
{multimedia} and communications data types.
MMX-enhanced processors are due to be released early in 1997.
They will be fully compatible with previous Intel processors
and software but software will only benefit if it is written
to use the new instructions. They can handle many common
multimedia operations, such as {digital signal processing},
normally handled by a separate {sound card} or {video card}.
(1996-12-21)