Intel Core 2 Solo ULV SU3300

The Intel Core 2 Solo ULV SU3300 is a single-core mobile processor from the Core 2 Solo (Penryn) generation, built on a 45 nm process with 410 million transistors on a 107 mm² die. It operates at a base clock of 1200 MHz with no boost capability, features 64 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 cache, and carries a 5 W TDP. The processor is end-of-life, targets the mobile segment, and is designed for the Intel BGA 956 socket. The data pack lists no benchmark scores and no rival comparisons, which limits quantitative performance analysis, but the specifications allow for a qualitative assessment of its role in legacy systems.

How It Compares

The data pack provides no `nearestRivals` entries for the SU3300, so there are no direct comparison points in the database. The processor’s percentileVsAllCpus is 50, which would place it at the median of all CPUs if benchmark scores were available, but the avgBenchmarkScore is 0, indicating that no actual benchmarks were recorded. Without rival data, it is impossible to state relative performance against other processors. The absence of comparisons suggests that this part is either too niche or too old to be commonly benchmarked. Its end-of-life production status further reinforces that it is not in active competition with modern processors. In the context of its own generation, the single-core design and 1200 MHz clock are modest, but no numerical deltas can be derived from the provided information.

Power and Thermals

With a TDP of 5 W, the SU3300 sits in the ultra-low-power class of mobile processors. This TDP is the only thermal specification provided. The 45 nm process node and 107 mm² die size with 410 million transistors indicate a relatively small and efficient chip. The 5 W rating implies that the processor can be cooled by a very small heatsink or possibly a passive solution, though the data does not specify cooling requirements. In practical terms, this level of power consumption is suited for fanless or low-noise designs in compact mobile devices. The lack of a boost clock means that power draw remains constant under load, which simplifies thermal management. The 3 MB L2 cache, while not directly related to power, is large for a single-core part and may contribute to efficient operation by reducing memory accesses. Overall, the thermal envelope is minimal, making this processor a candidate for passively cooled systems where quiet operation is prioritized over performance.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The SU3300 has a single core and a single thread, so there is no distinction between single-thread and multi-thread performance—every workload runs on one logical processor. The base clock of 1200 MHz is the only clock speed; there is no boost clock, so performance is constant. The 3 MB L2 cache is relatively large for a single-core part and can help mitigate the low clock speed by keeping frequently accessed data close to the core. For real workloads, this means the processor is best suited for light, single-threaded tasks such as basic web browsing, document editing, or legacy applications. Multi-threaded workloads will not benefit from any parallelism, and the lack of hyper-threading (since threads equal cores) means only one instruction stream is processed at a time. The absence of multi-threading also means that background tasks can cause noticeable slowdowns, as the single core must time-share between all running processes. The 64 KB L1 cache is split between instruction and data, but the data pack does not specify the breakdown; however, the total L1 size is fixed. In a single-thread scenario, the large L2 cache is the primary performance lever, helping to compensate for the low clock speed.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core 2 Solo ULV SU3300 use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 956 socket.

Q: What memory type is supported?

A: The processor supports DDR1 memory.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: Integrated graphics are available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature, not on the processor itself.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked.

Q: When was this processor released?

A: It was released on April 30, 2008.

Q: What is the production status?

A: It is end-of-life.

Q: What is the process node?

A: The process node is 45 nm.

Benchmark Performance

The fact pack reports an avgBenchmarkScore of 0 and a percentileVsAllCpus of 50. The zero score suggests that no benchmark results are recorded for this processor, making it impossible to derive any performance metrics. The 50th percentile is a ranking position, but without a score it cannot be interpreted as a meaningful performance indicator. There are no nearestRivals, so no percentage deltas can be calculated. In the absence of quantitative data, the only performance-related facts are the clock speed, cache sizes, and core count. The 1200 MHz base clock and 3 MB L2 cache are the sole indicators of processing capability. Given the single-core design and low clock, the expected performance is modest, but this is not backed by any benchmark numbers in the data pack. The 64 KB L1 cache is small by modern standards, but the 3 MB L2 cache is substantial for a single-core part and likely improves single-threaded efficiency. However, without actual scores, any performance conclusion remains speculative. The percentile of 50, if taken at face value, would suggest a median position among all CPUs, but the zero score contradicts that, implying that the percentile may be based on a different metric or that the processor has not been tested.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor is designed for the Intel BGA 956 socket, which is a ball-grid-array package. Memory support is limited to DDR1, indicating an older platform. No PCIe information is provided, so expansion capabilities are unknown. Integrated graphics are available only on certain motherboards as a chipset feature, meaning the processor itself does not contain a GPU. ECC memory is not supported. The processor is not multiplier unlocked, so overclocking is not possible. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date is April 30, 2008. Because it is a BGA package, the processor is typically soldered to the motherboard, though the data does not explicitly state that; however, the socket type suggests a non-upgradeable installation. The upgrade path is therefore limited to replacing the entire motherboard, if compatible, but given the end-of-life status and outdated memory support, this processor is not a practical choice for modern systems. The 45 nm process node and 410 million transistors are historical data points, and the 107 mm² die size is modest. The lack of a boost clock and the single-thread design further limit its applicability. For legacy applications that require low power and minimal thermal output, the SU3300 might still function, but its platform constraints—DDR1 memory and BGA 956—make it difficult to integrate into current hardware. The absence of ECC support also rules out use in memory-sensitive workloads. Overall, the platform is firmly rooted in the late-2000s mobile segment, with no forward compatibility.