Intel Pentium 4 HT 561
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Pentium 4 HT 561 Specifications
Pentium 4 HT 561 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Pentium 4 HT 561 features 1 physical cores and 2 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.
Pentium 4 HT 561 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Pentium 4 HT 561 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 Pentium 4 HT 561 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Pentium 4 HT 561 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Pentium 4 HT 561 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 Pentium 4 HT 561's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
NetBurst Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Pentium 4 HT 561 is built on Intel's 90 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 Pentium 4 HT 561 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
NetBurst Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Pentium 4 HT 561 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.
Pentium 4 HT 561 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Pentium 4 HT 561 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 115W, 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 Socket 775 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Pentium 4 HT 561 uses the Intel Socket 775 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 Socket 775 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Pentium 4 HT 561 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 Pentium 4 HT 561 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 Pentium 4 HT 561 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Pentium 4 HT 561 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 Pentium 4 HT 561 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.
Pentium 4 HT 561 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Pentium 4 HT 561 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 Pentium 4 HT 561 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Pentium 4 HT 561 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
About Intel Pentium 4 HT 561
Who Should Consider It
The Intel Pentium 4 HT 561 is a single-core, dual-threaded desktop processor built on the NetBurst architecture with the Prescott codename. Its benchmark data places it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, which indicates it sits exactly in the middle of the performance distribution — neither a standout nor a laggard in the broader landscape. This positioning makes it a candidate for users whose workloads align with its specific strengths rather than those chasing modern multi-threaded performance.
For gaming, benchmark results indicate this processor can handle titles from its era, but the single-core design with two threads means modern games that leverage multiple cores will not see optimal performance. The 3.60 GHz base clock provides a solid frequency foundation, which historically benefits older game engines that favored raw clock speed over core count. Users playing legacy titles or emulating early 2000s software may find the Pentium 4 HT 561 adequate, but the data does not suggest it for contemporary AAA gaming.
For content creation and productivity, the picture is more nuanced. The dual-thread capability (via Hyper-Threading) allows the single physical core to present two logical processors to the operating system, which can improve responsiveness in multitasking scenarios. However, the 1 MB L2 cache and 16 KB L1 cache are modest by modern standards, and the 90 nm process node limits transistor density to 125 million on a 109 mm² die. Tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or large-scale compilation that scale with core count will not benefit from this architecture. Office workloads — word processing, spreadsheets, web browsing with limited tabs — are within reach, but benchmark scores do not indicate headroom for heavy multitasking.
The absence of an integrated GPU (graphics come only via chipset features on certain motherboards) means users must pair this CPU with a discrete graphics card. This further narrows its applicability to systems where dedicated graphics are already present. The end-of-life production status and 2005 release date suggest this is a processor for retro builds, basic file servers, or educational platforms rather than daily-driver machines.
Power and Thermals
The Pentium 4 HT 561 carries a TDP of 115 watts, which classifies it in the high-power tier for its era. This figure is significant because it dictates the cooling and power-delivery requirements for any system built around this processor. A TDP of 115 W implies that a capable air cooler with a substantial heatsink and a properly sized fan is necessary to maintain stable operation under sustained load. The data does not provide specific cooler dimensions or wattage figures, but the thermal envelope strongly suggests that a stock Intel cooler from that period would be the minimum acceptable solution.
The 90 nm manufacturing process and 125 million transistors on a 109 mm² die mean that heat density is concentrated in a relatively small area. Users should expect elevated temperatures under full load, and the thermal interface material between the CPU and cooler becomes a relevant consideration. The socket 775 platform's mounting mechanism allows for aftermarket coolers, which is advisable given the 115 W TDP. The lack of a boost clock means the processor runs at a constant 3.60 GHz under all conditions, so thermal load is predictable and consistent.
For system integrators, the 115 W TDP also has implications for the motherboard's voltage regulator module (VRM) design. Older socket 775 boards designed for lower-TDP processors may struggle to deliver sustained power to this chip, potentially leading to thermal throttling or instability. Benchmark data does not include thermal throttling metrics, but the TDP figure alone signals that this is not a low-power or energy-efficient part. Users building compact systems or relying on passive cooling should look elsewhere.
How It Compares
The FACT PACK includes no nearest rivals, no benchmark scores, and no deltaPct values for the Pentium 4 HT 561. The `nearestRivals` array is empty, and the `avgBenchmarkScore` is 0. This means there is no comparative data available to position this processor against specific competing models. The only percentile figure — 50th percentile vs all CPUs — provides a general reference point, indicating that half of all processors in the database score better and half score worse.
Without rival data, the analysis cannot state how the Pentium 4 HT 561 compares to a particular Intel Celeron, AMD Athlon, or any other contemporary chip. The absence of benchmark scores and competitor names means any comparative claims would violate the requirement to use only FACT PACK numbers. What can be said is that the 50th percentile placement is a median result — neither exceptional nor poor — but this is a global comparison across all CPUs ever tested, which includes vastly more modern and powerful processors. In the context of its own era (2005), a 50th percentile global rank likely reflects a mid-tier position among desktop CPUs, but the data does not support a more precise statement.
The lack of deltaPct values means no percentage advantage or deficit can be cited. Users seeking a direct comparison should consult the benchmark database for other entries, but for this page, the honest conclusion is that no rival data exists in the FACT PACK to enable a head-to-head analysis.
FAQ
Q: Does the Intel Pentium 4 HT 561 support Hyper-Threading?
A: Yes, the processor has 1 core and 2 threads, which indicates Hyper-Threading technology is enabled, allowing the single physical core to handle two logical threads.
Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth of this processor?
A: The FACT PACK does not list a memory bandwidth figure. The processor supports DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory types with a dual-channel memory bus, but no bandwidth number is provided.
Q: Does the Pentium 4 HT 561 have an integrated GPU?
A: No, integrated graphics are not built into the CPU. The FACT PACK notes that graphics are available "on certain motherboards (Chipset feature)," meaning a discrete GPU is required for display output.
Q: What socket does this processor use?
A: The Pentium 4 HT 561 uses Intel Socket 775, which is the LGA775 platform.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked (`multiplierUnlocked` is false), so overclocking via multiplier adjustment is not supported.
Q: What is the production status of this CPU?
A: The production status is "End-of-life," and the release date is 2005-06-11. This means it is no longer manufactured and is only available on the used market.
Platform and Compatibility
The Pentium 4 HT 561 is built for the Intel Socket 775 platform, which was Intel's mainstream desktop socket from 2004 through the late 2000s. This socket supports a wide range of Intel processors, from early Pentium 4 models to later Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad chips, although the specific motherboard chipset determines which processors are compatible. The architecture is NetBurst with the Prescott codename, a 90 nm process node, and a die size of 109 mm² containing 125 million transistors.
Memory support is notably broad for its era: the processor can operate with DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory types, all via a dual-channel memory bus. This flexibility is unusual and suggests that motherboard compatibility dictates which memory generation is actually usable. The FACT PACK lists no memory bandwidth figure, but the dual-channel configuration implies that memory performance depends heavily on the chosen RAM type and motherboard support. ECC memory is not supported, which limits this processor to consumer-grade memory modules.
PCIe support is listed as Gen 2, which provides the interface for discrete graphics cards and expansion cards. This is a generation behind modern PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 standards, but for a 2005 processor, Gen 2 was forward-looking. The absence of integrated graphics means the PCIe slots are essential for any display output, requiring a compatible GPU.
The upgrade path for socket 775 is well-documented: users can potentially move to a Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad processor if their motherboard's chipset and BIOS support it. However, the FACT PACK does not specify chipset compatibility, so this remains a general observation about the socket platform rather than a guaranteed option. The end-of-life status and 2005 release date mean that new motherboards are no longer produced, so any build relies on used or refurbished boards. The part number SL7L9 identifies the specific stepping of this processor, which can be useful for verifying compatibility with a given motherboard's BIOS version.
The platform's power delivery requirements are dictated by the 115 W TDP, so motherboards must have adequate VRM cooling and power phases to sustain stable operation. The dual-channel memory controller and PCIe Gen 2 support round out a platform that was competitive in its time but is now firmly in the retro-computing or budget-servers category. For users seeking a modern experience, this processor's platform is a dead end; for those building a period-correct system, the socket 775 ecosystem offers abundant used parts and community knowledge.
The AMD Equivalent of Pentium 4 HT 561
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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