Intel Pentium 4-M 1.60

The Intel Pentium 4-M 1.60 is a mobile processor from Intel, built on the NetBurst architecture with the Northwood codename. It features a single core and a single thread, running at a base clock of 1600.00 MHz (1.60 GHz). The chip is fabricated on a 130 nm process with 55 million transistors and a die size of 131 mm². It carries 8 KB of L1 cache and 512 KB of L2 cache. Released on March 3, 2002, it targets the mobile segment and is now end-of-life. In the benchmark database, it holds a 50th percentile position among all CPUs, though its average benchmark score is 0, indicating no recorded scores.

Benchmark Performance

The fact pack provides no benchmark scores for this processor; the benchmarks array is empty, and the average benchmark score is exactly 0. Consequently, no direct performance deltas against rivals can be computed, as the nearestRivals array is also empty. The only performance-related metric is the percentileVsAllCpus value of 50, which places this chip at the median of the entire CPU database. This 50th percentile ranking suggests that, within the historical context of the database, it sits exactly in the middle of all recorded processors. Without scores, we cannot state how it performs in specific workloads, but the absence of data itself is informative: it indicates that this chip has not been subjected to the standard benchmark suite, or that its results were not recorded. The 1600.00 MHz base clock and 512 KB L2 cache are the only quantitative performance indicators available, and they suggest a modest level of single-threaded capability, though no comparative numbers exist to validate this. The 50th percentile, however, implies that half of the CPUs in the database are slower and half are faster, based on the overall scoring distribution.

Who Should Consider It

Given the single core and single thread configuration, this processor is inherently limited to workloads that do not benefit from parallel execution. The mobile segment designation indicates it was designed for portable systems, likely for basic office tasks, web browsing, and lightweight productivity applications from its era. The 1600.00 MHz clock and 512 KB L2 cache provide sufficient compute for simple single-threaded applications, but the lack of multi-threading means any multi-threaded software will not be able to utilize this chip effectively. For gaming, the absence of benchmark scores prevents a definitive statement, but the single core and 1600.00 MHz clock from 2002 suggest it could run contemporary (2002-era) titles at low settings, though no data supports this. For creation workloads such as video editing or 3D rendering, the single thread is a severe bottleneck, and the 30 W TDP indicates a power-constrained mobile design rather than a performance desktop part. Office productivity, such as word processing and spreadsheet tasks, would align with the chip's capabilities, though again, no scores confirm this. The 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs suggests it is not an outlier in either direction, but rather a typical mid-range part of its time.

How It Compares

The fact pack's nearestRivals array is empty, meaning no direct rival processors are listed for comparison. As a result, no delta percentages can be reported, and no rival names or scores are available to position this chip against. The only comparative signal is the 50th percentile versus all CPUs, which indicates a median standing. Without rival data, we cannot say whether it is faster or slower than any specific competitor. The absence of rivals in the database may reflect its mobile, end-of-life status, as many benchmark databases focus on desktop or newer parts. This processor's position is therefore defined solely by its own specifications: 1 core, 1 thread, 1600.00 MHz, and 512 KB L2. The empty rival list means that any claim about relative performance would be speculative and unsupported by the provided facts.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Pentium 4-M 1.60 have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread.

Q: What is the base clock speed?

A: The base clock is 1600.00 MHz (1.60 GHz).

Q: What is the TDP?

A: The TDP is 30 watts.

Q: Which socket does it use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 478.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: DDR1 and DDR2 are supported.

Q: When was it released?

A: It was released on March 3, 2002.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Pentium 4-M 1.60 has a TDP of 30 watts, which is a relatively low power draw, consistent with its mobile market segment. The 130 nm process node and 55 million transistor count contribute to this modest power envelope. A 30 W TDP implies that a simple, low-profile cooling solution is sufficient, typical for thin and light laptops of the early 2000s. The chip's NetBurst architecture, while known for high clock speeds in other parts, is here configured at a conservative 1600.00 MHz, which helps keep thermals manageable. The die size of 131 mm² and the 512 KB L2 cache also factor into the thermal profile. No additional thermal figures are provided, so the 30 W TDP is the sole quantitative measure for cooling requirements. This TDP class indicates that passive or low-speed fan cooling could be adequate, though no specific cooler recommendations are made in the data.

Platform and Compatibility

This processor uses the Intel Socket 478 interface, which was a common platform for early 2000s Intel processors. It supports DDR1 and DDR2 memory, though the memory bus width and bandwidth are not specified in the fact pack. The chip does not support ECC memory. Integrated graphics are not built into the processor itself, but are available as a chipset feature on certain motherboards, meaning the visual output depends on the motherboard's integrated solution. The market segment is mobile, so it is intended for laptop systems. The production status is end-of-life, indicating that Intel has discontinued this part, and no future platform updates or driver support are expected. The lack of a boost clock and the multiplier being locked (multiplierUnlocked: false) means the operating frequency is fixed at 1600.00 MHz. The PCIe support is not listed in the fact pack, so no information on PCIe lanes or versions is available. The upgrade path is inherently limited by the end-of-life status and the socket 478 platform, which is no longer manufactured.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

With exactly 1 core and 1 thread, the Intel Pentium 4-M 1.60 is a purely single-threaded processor. It cannot execute multiple threads simultaneously, and any multi-threaded workload will be serialized. The base clock of 1600.00 MHz is the sole determinant of single-thread performance, along with the 8 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 caches. The NetBurst architecture, with its Northwood codename, is designed for high clock speeds, but this particular chip is capped at 1600.00 MHz. The absence of a boost clock means the frequency is constant under load. For real workloads, this means that any application that relies on a single core will see performance proportional to the 1600.00 MHz clock and cache efficiency. Conversely, applications that scale with multiple cores will see no benefit, as the processor cannot provide additional threads. The 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs likely reflects this single-threaded nature, placing it at the median of a database that includes many multi-core processors. The data shows no multi-threading capabilities, so any comparison to multi-threaded parts would be fundamentally different in architecture.