Intel Pentium 4 HT 517

The Intel Pentium 4 HT 517 is a desktop processor built on the NetBurst architecture with the Prescott codename. It operates at a fixed base clock of 2.93 GHz, offers a single physical core with two threads via Hyper-Threading, and carries a thermal design power of 84 W. Manufactured on Intel's 90 nm process, the die integrates 125 million transistors across a 109 mm² area. The database records a 50th percentile standing among all CPUs, though its average benchmark score is listed as 0 with no individual benchmark entries.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Pentium 4 HT 517 presents a clear dichotomy: one physical core with two logical threads. The base clock of 2.93 GHz is the sole frequency driver, as no boost clock is recorded. This means the single-thread performance is entirely dependent on that fixed operating point. In the NetBurst architecture, the deep pipeline favored high clock speeds over instruction-level efficiency. The data shows a part that relies on raw frequency to push through integer and floating-point workloads. For legacy applications that are not thread-aware, the single-thread capability is the only relevant metric. The 1 MB L2 cache provides a moderate buffer for data reuse, while the 16 KB L1 is small by modern standards, limiting the amount of working set that can reside closest to the execution units.

The two threads enabled by Hyper-Threading allow the single core to interleave two instruction streams. This is not true multi-core parallelism; it is a form of simultaneous multithreading that can improve utilization of the execution pipeline when one thread stalls on memory latency or dependency chains. In practice, the data suggests that workloads with mixed operations—such as background system tasks alongside a primary application—may see modest throughput gains. However, the single core still represents a hard ceiling for any parallel scaling. The absence of a boost clock means there is no dynamic headroom to shift frequency between threads or under varying load. The 2.93 GHz figure is the absolute maximum and minimum operating speed. For real-world use, this part behaves as a high-frequency single-core solution with a secondary thread that helps fill idle pipeline slots, but it cannot match the parallel capabilities of multi-core designs that emerged later in the database's historical record.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for this processor is notably sparse. The benchmarks array is empty, and the average benchmark score is recorded as 0. This indicates that no standardized performance measurements have been captured for the Pentium 4 HT 517 in the current database. Consequently, there are no raw scores to analyze against other parts. The only positional metric available is the percentile versus all CPUs, which stands at 50. This places the processor exactly at the median of the entire CPU distribution in the database. A 50th percentile ranking implies that half of all recorded CPUs are slower and half are faster, but without actual scores, this is a purely relative positioning.

The lack of benchmark entries means that delta percentages against rivals cannot be computed. The data does not provide any nearest rival names, scores, or deltaPct values. The 0 average benchmark score is a placeholder rather than a measured performance result, as no workload has been run to produce a non-zero figure. The architectural characteristics—2.93 GHz base clock, 1 MB L2, and 90 nm process—serve as the only proxies for potential performance. The 125 million transistors on a 109 mm² die define the computational resources available. The 50th percentile is a meaningful anchor: it suggests that, in the database's historical context, this part sits in the middle of the pack, neither a high-end performer nor a low-end entry. Without rival scores, the analysis cannot state specific advantages or deficits, only that the processor occupies a median position among all CPUs tracked.

Power and Thermals

The thermal design power is rated at 84 W. This is a fixed specification that dictates the cooling solution required to maintain stable operation under sustained load. The 90 nm process node, while a significant shrink for its time, still generates substantial heat per unit area given the 125 million transistors packed into a 109 mm² die. The 84 W TDP implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient; the data does not specify a cooler size, but the thermal envelope is moderate for a desktop part of this era. The NetBurst architecture was historically associated with high power draw, and the 84 W figure here represents the official thermal ceiling that motherboard VRM designs and chassis airflow must accommodate.

The processor does not have a boost clock, meaning the 2.93 GHz operating point is constant. This simplifies thermal behavior—there is no transient frequency spike that would require additional cooling headroom. The multiplier is locked, so end-users cannot adjust the clock multiplier to increase frequency, which also limits the ability to push the part beyond its rated thermal envelope. The production status is end-of-life, indicating that Intel has ceased manufacturing this part, and no further stepping or power optimizations are forthcoming. The 84 W TDP class suggests that a standard desktop air cooler with a modest heatsink and fan is adequate. The data does not provide any measured temperature figures or power draw under load, so the analysis relies solely on the TDP rating as the primary thermal constraint.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field is empty, meaning the database contains no recorded competitor entries for this specific processor. There are no rival names, no scores, and no deltaPct values to reference. This absence of comparative data forces the analysis to rely on the percentile metric and architectural positioning. The 50th percentile against all CPUs places the Pentium 4 HT 517 at the exact median of the database's historical CPU population. This is a neutral standing—it is neither a standout performer nor a laggard. Without rival data, a direct head-to-head comparison cannot be constructed.

In the broader context of the database, the single core with two threads differentiates this part from multi-core processors that likely populate the upper percentiles. The 2.93 GHz base clock is the primary performance lever, but the lack of a boost clock means it cannot dynamically increase frequency to compete with parts that offer turbo capabilities. The 84 W TDP is moderate, suggesting it sits below high-end desktop parts that demand more power. The 90 nm process and 125 million transistor count place it in a specific manufacturing generation. The data does not allow for any percentage-based deltas, so the comparison must remain qualitative: the processor occupies a mid-tier position based on its percentile, with no direct rivals to measure against. The empty nearestRivals array is a definitive statement that, in the current dataset, this part has no peer group defined for comparison.

Platform and Compatibility

The Pentium 4 HT 517 uses the Intel Socket 775 interface. This socket is a key compatibility anchor, determining which motherboards can support the processor. The memory support is broad, encompassing DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory types, with a dual-channel memory bus. This wide memory compatibility is unusual and indicates a design that can interface with multiple generations of system memory. The data does not specify memory bandwidth, so the actual throughput of the dual-channel bus is not quantified. ECC memory is not supported, which limits the processor to consumer and non-server applications.

The PCIe interface is Gen 2, providing a modern interconnect for expansion cards and storage devices. Integrated graphics are not built into the CPU die; instead, they are available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature. This means the processor itself has no graphical output capability, and a discrete graphics card is required unless the motherboard provides an integrated solution. The multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking via the clock multiplier, though base clock adjustments may still be possible on some motherboards. The release date is June 20, 2004, and the production status is end-of-life. The part number is SL8ZY. The market segment is desktop, and the architecture is NetBurst with the Prescott codename. The upgrade path from this socket would depend on motherboard compatibility, but the data only lists the socket and memory support. The dual-channel memory bus across three memory types provides a degree of future-proofing for memory upgrades, while the PCIe Gen 2 interface allows for modern add-in cards. The locked multiplier and end-of-life status indicate that this is a fixed, legacy platform with no further expansion in terms of processor upgrades beyond what the motherboard's socket and chipset support.