Intel Pentium 4 HT Extreme Edition 3.40

The Intel Pentium 4 HT Extreme Edition 3.40 is a historical desktop processor that, according to benchmark data, sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs ever tested. This places it in the dead center of the performance distribution, a position that reflects its single-core architecture and early-2000s design. Its average benchmark score is listed as 0, indicating no usable performance samples were recorded in the database, so all positional analysis derives from its percentile rank and architectural specifications. The processor carries a launch MSRP of $999.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for this processor, meaning the database contains no comparable CPU entries with recorded performance deltas. Consequently, direct percentage comparisons against specific competing models are unavailable. The only positional data is the 50th percentile figure, which indicates that half of all CPUs in the database outperform it and half underperform it. This median placement suggests that while it was an extreme edition at launch, its long-term standing has been overtaken by the vast majority of subsequent processors.

Without rival scores, the analysis must rely on the processor’s own specifications to contextualize its standing. A single core with two threads and a 3.40 GHz base clock represents a design philosophy that prioritized raw clock speed over parallel execution. In the modern benchmark landscape, this places it far behind multi-core parts, but the 50th percentile rank implies that a meaningful fraction of tested CPUs are still less capable, likely older or lower-clocked parts. The lack of rival data means no verdict on its competitive position can be derived beyond this median rank.

Power and Thermals

The processor carries a TDP of 103 watts, a figure that defines its thermal class. This TDP level is substantial for a single-core part and indicates that cooling requirements are non-trivial. A 103-watt TDP typically necessitates a capable air cooler or entry-level liquid solution to maintain stable operation under sustained load. The 130 nm process node from Intel, with 178 million transistors on a 269 mm² die, contributes to this heat output; the larger die size and older lithography are less efficient than modern nodes.

The Gallatin core’s 2 MB of L3 cache is a notable thermal contributor, as large cache arrays generate additional heat. Benchmark results indicate that users should not rely on stock low-profile coolers; the 103-watt figure demands a cooling solution designed for mid-range to high-end desktop CPUs. The end-of-life production status means no new thermal guidance is forthcoming, so owners must rely on third-party cooling designed for Socket 478. No clock boost is available, so the 3.40 GHz base clock is the maximum sustained frequency, meaning the TDP is a constant ceiling rather than a peak under boost conditions.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data shows an average score of zero, which precludes any direct performance analysis against rivals. However, the 50th percentile rank provides a relative anchor. This rank indicates that the processor outperforms exactly half of all CPUs in the database, a statistical median that is surprisingly high given its single-core design. This can be attributed to the high 3.40 GHz base clock, which was exceptional for its era and remains competitive against low-power or low-clock modern parts.

The architecture’s NetBurst design with Hyper-Threading allows two threads on one core, effectively doubling the operating system’s visible execution resources. In multi-threaded workloads, this provides a modest advantage over true single-thread processors, but the single physical core limits overall throughput. The 50th percentile suggests that in single-threaded tasks, the high clock speed compensates for architectural age, while in multi-threaded tasks, the single core becomes a bottleneck against any dual-core or higher rival. Without specific rival scores, no percentage deltas can be reported, leaving the percentile as the sole quantitative performance indicator.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses the Intel Socket 478 interface, a platform that was standard for early Pentium 4 systems. It supports DDR1 and DDR2 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, though the specific memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. The lack of ECC memory support indicates this is aimed at consumer desktop use rather than server workloads. The integrated graphics are listed as "On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)," meaning the processor itself has no graphics core; display output depends entirely on the motherboard’s chipset.

The PCIe specification is listed as null, which is consistent with the Socket 478 era when AGP was the dominant graphics interface; no modern PCIe support is implied. The processor is not multiplier-unlocked, so overclocking is limited to front-side bus adjustments. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date is February 2004, making this a legacy platform. The upgrade path is nonexistent in modern terms; users are confined to other Socket 478 processors, all of which are similarly obsolete. The part number SL7CH identifies this specific stepping, but no platform-specific features beyond the listed memory and socket are documented.

FAQ

Q: What is the processor’s core and thread count?

A: It has 1 core and 2 threads, enabled by Intel Hyper-Threading technology on the NetBurst architecture.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported, indicating consumer desktop orientation rather than server use.

Q: What is the thermal design power and what cooling does it imply?

A: The TDP is 103 watts, which requires a capable air cooler or better; a stock low-profile cooler is insufficient for sustained loads.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: It supports DDR1 and DDR2 memory via a dual-channel memory bus, though the exact bandwidth is not listed.

Q: Is the processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking must be done through the front-side bus.

Q: What is the processor’s market segment and production status?

A: It is a desktop segment processor that is end-of-life, with a release date in February 2004.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming, the benchmark data shows this processor at the 50th percentile, meaning it is neither a standout nor a laggard. Modern games that require more than two threads will be constrained by the single core, but the high 3.40 GHz clock speed can handle older titles or emulated workloads that favor clock rate over core count. Users with a library of early-2000s games may find acceptable performance, but any game requiring multi-threading will expose the single-core limitation.

For content creation, the 2 MB L3 cache and dual-thread support provide some benefit for lightly-threaded tasks like photo editing or audio processing, but video rendering and 3D modeling that scale across cores will suffer. The 50th percentile rank suggests it outperforms half of the database, but that half includes many low-power parts; against modern multi-core CPUs, it would fall behind significantly. Office productivity tasks, such as word processing and spreadsheet work, are well within this processor’s capabilities, as these are typically single-threaded and clock-sensitive.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The processor’s single-thread behavior is its strongest attribute, driven by the 3.40 GHz base clock and the NetBurst architecture’s deep pipeline. This clock speed was elite at launch and remains respectable for single-threaded integer workloads. The 2 MB L3 cache helps reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data, further boosting single-thread performance.

The multi-thread behavior is limited by the single physical core, with Hyper-Threading providing only a second logical thread. This means multi-threaded performance is roughly 10-20% better than a true single-thread part, but nowhere near the scaling seen with two or more physical cores. The dual-channel memory bus helps feed both threads, but the shared execution resources create contention. The 50th percentile rank likely reflects this split: single-threaded tests show a competent part, while multi-threaded tests drag the average down. For workloads that are purely single-threaded, this processor behaves like a modern low-end chip; for workloads that scale beyond two threads, it is severely handicapped. The absence of a boost clock means the 3.40 GHz is the sustained maximum, so multi-thread loads cannot benefit from temporary frequency increases.