Intel Mobile Pentium III 900
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 Specifications
Mobile Pentium III 900 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 features 1 physical cores and 1 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Mobile Pentium III 900 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Mobile Pentium III 900 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Mobile Pentium III 900 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Mobile Pentium III 900 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Mobile Pentium III 900 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Mobile Pentium III 900's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
P6 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 is built on Intel's 180 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Mobile Pentium III 900 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
P6 Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Mobile Pentium III 900 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Mobile Pentium III 900 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 23W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Micro-BGA2 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Mobile Pentium III 900 uses the Intel Micro-BGA2 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Micro-BGA2 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Mobile Pentium III 900 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Mobile Pentium III 900 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Mobile Pentium III 900 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the Mobile Pentium III 900 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Mobile Pentium III 900 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Mobile Pentium III 900 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Mobile Pentium III 900 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
About Intel Mobile Pentium III 900
The Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 chip represents the tail end of Intel’s Coppermine‑based Pentium III family for laptops. Built on a 180 nm process, it packs a single‑core, single‑thread design that still leverages the classic P6 micro‑architecture. This architecture introduced out‑of‑order execution, speculative branch prediction, and a six‑stage pipeline that were groundbreaking for mobile CPUs of its era. Although modest by today’s standards, the design delivers a balanced mix of integer and floating‑point performance suitable for the early‑2000s portable market. The processor is mounted in an Intel Micro‑BGA2 socket, allowing thin‑and‑light notebook implementations.
Running at a base clock of 900 MHz, the Pentium III 900 mobile processor offers a steady rhythm for everyday tasks. Unlike modern chips it lacks a dynamic turbo boost, so the clock speed remains fixed across its operating envelope. The fixed 900 MHz frequency pairs with a modest 23 W thermal design power, which was a key factor in extending battery life for laptops of that generation. Intel quoted a launch price of $562, positioning the part as a premium offering for performance‑oriented mobile workstations. Despite the absence of turbo, the chip’s power envelope allows it to stay comfortably within the thermal limits of the compact chassis it inhabits.
The Intel’s 900 MHz mobile Pentium III features a 32 KB L1 instruction cache and a matching 32 KB L1 data cache, both built with a 2‑way set associative structure. Beyond the first level, it houses a 256 KB L2 cache that is directly connected to the core, delivering low‑latency access for frequently used data and code. The L2 cache operates at the same clock speed as the core, which helps mitigate the bandwidth gap that can appear in older mobile designs. While the cache sizes are modest compared to contemporary multi‑core CPUs, they were sufficient to keep the pipeline fed during typical office and multimedia workloads of the early 2000s. The unified cache hierarchy also benefits integer‑heavy applications, as the close proximity reduces the penalty of cache misses.
In benchmark‑style assessments, the mobile Pentium III 900 shines most when running single‑threaded office suites, legacy Windows 98/ME environments, and early‑generation multimedia playback. Its P6 pipeline and respectable L2 cache make it adept at handling spreadsheet calculations and word processing with minimal latency. The chip also delivers acceptable performance in early 3D acceleration scenarios when paired with the era’s AGP graphics solutions, though it quickly falls behind dedicated GPUs. For developers and enthusiasts interested in retro computing, the processor provides a reliable platform for testing legacy software and operating systems. Overall, the Intel Mobile Pentium III 900 remains a solid reference point for evaluating how far mobile CPU design has progressed over the past two decades.
The AMD Equivalent of Mobile Pentium III 900
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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