Intel Pentium 4-M 2.40

The Intel Pentium 4-M 2.40 is a mobile processor built on Intel's NetBurst architecture with the Northwood codename. The data records a single core and a single thread running at a base clock of 2.40 GHz, with no boost clock listed. It sits at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while its average benchmark score is 0, indicating that no benchmark results are attached to this entry. The following analysis interprets the available data, focusing on architectural characteristics, platform fit, and the relative position implied by the percentile.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Pentium 4-M 2.40 offers one core and one thread. There is no multi-threading capability, so the distinction between single-thread and multi-thread performance is effectively moot: every workload executes on a single thread. The base clock of 2.40 GHz is the only frequency in the data; no boost clock exists, meaning the processor runs at a fixed speed under all conditions. The absence of a boost clock means the 2.40 GHz figure is a constant, not a peak, which has direct implications for burst workloads that rely on temporary frequency increases — none are possible here.

The cache hierarchy consists of 8 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2, which is modest by modern standards but was typical for the NetBurst generation. The 50th percentile placement suggests that, across the entire database, this processor performs at the median — but because there is no multi-thread path, applications that can utilize multiple threads will see no scaling benefit. Real-world workloads that are inherently single-threaded, such as legacy office macros, simple spreadsheet calculations, or lightweight web browsing, are the only type this processor can address. The data does not support any multi-threaded performance claim, as the thread count is one. In practice, the single-thread/multi-thread split is not a spectrum for this part; it is a single lane with no alternative route. The 512 KB L2 cache is the only sizable buffer between the core and memory, and with 8 KB of L1, the processor relies heavily on that L2 for data reuse. For any workload that could benefit from parallel execution, the hardware simply does not provide the resources.

Who Should Consider It

The market segment is Mobile, and the production status is End-of-life. The release date is 2003-01-13, making this a legacy part. The 50th percentile and the zero benchmark score indicate that the data does not place this processor as a strong performer. For gaming, the single core and single thread with a fixed 2.40 GHz clock offer no headroom for modern titles, which typically require multiple cores. For content creation, the lack of multi-threading and the small cache (8 KB L1, 512 KB L2) would severely limit rendering or encoding tasks. For office workloads, the processor could handle basic single-threaded tasks such as text entry or spreadsheet navigation, but the end-of-life status means it is not a candidate for new systems.

The data suggests a niche audience: users maintaining legacy mobile hardware from the early 2000s who require only the most fundamental computing functions. No benchmark scores are recorded, so any performance expectation must be inferred from the single core, single thread, and 2.40 GHz clock. The 50th percentile indicates that in the database's historical context, the processor is unremarkable — neither a standout nor a laggard. The 35 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile designs of its era, but the end-of-life production status means replacement parts and support are scarce. A user considering this processor today would be doing so for compatibility with an existing Socket 478 motherboard, not for any performance advantage. The data provides no evidence that this processor can handle multi-threaded productivity suites, video conferencing, or any workload that has become standard in the decades since its release.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Pentium 4-M 2.40 is sparse. The average benchmark score is 0, and the percentile versus all CPUs is 50. A percentile of 50 means the processor sits exactly at the median of the database distribution — half of all recorded CPUs score higher, half score lower. However, with an average score of 0, there are no actual benchmark results to analyze. The 0 average benchmark score is notable: it suggests that no benchmark suite has been run on this processor, or that results were not recorded. This is common for end-of-life mobile parts, where testing infrastructure is no longer maintained.

The nearestRivals array is empty, so no direct competitor comparisons with delta percentages can be made from the data. The absence of rival scores means that any statement about being ahead of or behind a specific competitor is unsupported. What the data does show is a processor that, on paper, has a single thread at 2.40 GHz with 512 KB of L2 cache. The 50th percentile is a relative ranking, but without benchmark scores, it functions as a placeholder rather than a measured result. The data indicates that the processor is neither a top performer nor a bottom performer in the database, but the lack of measured scores limits the analysis to architectural characteristics. The only quantitative anchors are the 50th percentile, the 2.40 GHz base clock, and the cache sizes. There is no multi-core score to compare, no single-thread score to cite, and no rival delta to compute. The benchmark section of this entry is effectively a blank slate, with the percentile providing the sole positional signal.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Pentium 4-M 2.40 have?

A: The data lists one core and one thread.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 35 W.

Q: Which socket does it use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 478.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: The memory support is DDR1 and DDR2.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: Integrated graphics are available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature, according to the data.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Power and Thermals

The TDP of the Pentium 4-M 2.40 is 35 W, which classifies it as a low-power mobile processor. The process node is 130 nm, with 55 million transistors on a die size of 131 mm². These figures indicate a relatively simple chip by modern standards, but the 35 W TDP means cooling requirements are modest. The data does not specify a cooler size or type, but a 35 W TDP can be managed by a basic air cooler designed for mobile platforms. The NetBurst architecture, codenamed Northwood, was known for its high clock speeds, but this mobile variant runs at 2.40 GHz with no boost. The thermal design point of 35 W is low enough that the processor could be used in thin-and-light laptops of its era. The data does not include any thermal throttling information, so no statement about sustained load behavior can be made. The 130 nm process and 55 million transistor count are the only manufacturing details available, and they directly influence the 35 W figure: a smaller die and lower transistor count typically correlate with lower power draw. The 131 mm² die size is a concrete physical attribute that, combined with the 35 W TDP, suggests a cooling solution in the low-to-mid tier of mobile coolers — a simple heat pipe or small fan assembly would suffice. The data does not list any overclocking headroom, and the locked multiplier reinforces that the 35 W TDP is the intended operating point.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor is built for Intel Socket 478, a platform that was common for Pentium 4-era systems. Memory support includes DDR1 and DDR2, though the data does not specify memory bus width or bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. Integrated graphics are available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature, meaning the processor itself does not contain a GPU but can work with boards that provide one. The PCIe field is null in the data, so no PCIe generation or lane count can be stated. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking via multiplier adjustment is not possible. The part numbers listed are SL6LSSL6K5SL6VC, which can be used for identification. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date is 2003-01-13.

The upgrade path is limited: because the socket is 478 and the processor is end-of-life, finding compatible motherboards and memory (DDR1/DDR2) is increasingly difficult. The data does not provide any information about an upgrade path beyond the socket itself. The memory support for both DDR1 and DDR2 suggests a transitional period in memory technology, where boards could accept either type depending on the chipset. The lack of ECC support further positions this as a consumer-grade mobile part. The integrated graphics being a chipset feature rather than a processor feature means the user must verify that their specific motherboard includes a graphics controller. The locked multiplier removes one avenue of performance tuning, leaving the base clock of 2.40 GHz as the sole operating frequency. The socket 478 platform itself is a legacy interface, and the data does not indicate any compatibility with newer sockets or chipsets.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals array in the data is empty, so there are no direct rival names, scores, or deltaPct values to cite. Consequently, this analysis cannot state that the Pentium 4-M 2.40 is ahead of or behind any specific competitor by a percentage. What can be stated is its overall position: the 50th percentile across all CPUs in the database. This places it at the median, but the average benchmark score of 0 means the percentile is not backed by measured results. The processor's single core, single thread, and 2.40 GHz base clock are the only performance indicators. In the absence of rival data, the comparison must rest on architectural facts: 8 KB L1 cache, 512 KB L2 cache, 35 W TDP, and the Northwood codename. The data does not support any claim of superiority or inferiority to a named rival.

Without rival data, the only quantitative anchor is the 50th percentile. That percentile is a relative measure, but it is unverified by any benchmark score. The processor's position in the database is therefore a statistical artifact rather than a tested outcome. The 35 W TDP and the mobile segment designation place it in a specific class of low-power parts, but no other members of that class are listed in the data. The end-of-life status further isolates it from current comparisons. The data's silence on rivals is itself informative: it suggests that the processor was not commonly benchmarked against peers, or that such comparisons were not recorded. For a database reader, the takeaway is that this processor occupies a median position in the overall distribution, but its individual performance characteristics cannot be quantified beyond the architectural specifications provided.