Definition of processor: A CPU that has to be attached to a motherboard. May or may not have integrated graphics. Does not contain other computer parts such as memory (other than parts crucial to the functioning of a modern processor such as registers and cache), sensors, connectors (other than the socket), etc.Definition of individually: Is not contained as part of a mandatory bundle. Is not a part of a system on a chip or other similar constructs.Definition of can be purchased by the average joe: Does not require a corporate contract. Does not require a phone call to the company. Does not require a bunch of hoops to be jumped through. Can be bought at a quantity of 1.Companies that are included in x86: Intel, AMD, and other minor x86 manufacturers. (Even though other architectures by Intel such as IA32, etc. are completely different from x86, I am not interested in them)Other preferable things: Motherboards, Memory, and all of the other components required to make a working personal computer (luxuries excluded) to be available.This question was asked out of curiosity, but it may have practical applications as I am a very casual hobby operating system developer looking to dabble in non-x86 architectures.I find it hard to believe that x86 is the only computer architecture that you can actually purchase individual components for and build a personal computer. If that is the case, that is really a shame =(Further clarification: I am looking for a socketed CPU
Is there a non-x86 processor that can be purchased by the average joe individually?
processor;processor architecture
I am not aware of any non-x86 consumer-level CPUs, ie. ones where you can simply purchase and slot together all the parts for a computer.Various ARM CPUs can be purchased individually, and OpenCores has some CPU designs that can be loaded up on an FPGA, but these aren't end-user-friendly: they require sufficient electrical-engineering skills to design a mainboard for connecting the CPU to things like memory or a video controller, or at least the assembly skills to build someone else's design.The only non-x86 CPUs I'm aware of that were ever even remotely available to consumers in build-your-own-computer form were the DEC Alpha (discontinued in 2001) and the PowerPC (you could cobble together something from Apple spare parts until about 2005).