Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 955

The Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is a dual-core desktop processor built on the NetBurst architecture with the Presler codename. Released on December 26, 2005, it operates at a base clock of 3.47 GHz with a 130 W thermal design power (TDP), and it ranks at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database.

Platform and Compatibility

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses the Intel Socket 775 interface, which was Intel’s mainstream desktop socket for the mid-2000s. It is built on the 65 nm process node with a die size of 2x 81 mm², containing 376 million transistors. The processor’s memory controller is not integrated; instead, memory support depends entirely on the motherboard chipset. The fact pack indicates support for DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory, with the qualification that it "depends on motherboard." This means the actual memory type and speed are determined by the specific board paired with the CPU, not by the processor itself. Memory access is dual-channel, but no specific memory bandwidth figure is provided in the data.

The processor lacks any integrated graphics of its own. The fact pack notes that integrated graphics are available "on certain motherboards (Chipset feature)," meaning any display output would come from the motherboard’s chipset rather than the CPU. For expansion, the fact pack lists no PCIe specification for this processor, leaving the PCIe lanes to be provided by the motherboard chipset as well. This makes the 955 a CPU that is heavily dependent on its surrounding platform for basic functionality.

The upgrade path for Socket 775 is limited by the processor’s generation. As a Pentium Extreme Edition (Presler) part, it sits at the top of the dual-core NetBurst line for that socket. The multiplier is unlocked, which offers some flexibility for overclocking on compatible motherboards, but the overall platform is end-of-life. The production status is listed as "End-of-life," and the launch MSRP was $999. The part number for this specific unit is SL8WMSL94NSL9K6.

Power and Thermals

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 has a TDP of 130 W. This places it in a high-power class for desktop processors of its era. Based on this TDP, the required cooling solution would be substantial — a capable air cooler with heat pipes or a liquid cooling solution would be appropriate to manage the heat output under sustained load. The 65 nm process node helps reduce power consumption compared to older 90 nm NetBurst parts, but the 130 W figure still demands attention to case airflow and cooler mounting.

The unlocked multiplier provides an avenue for overclocking, but any increase in clock speed would push power consumption and heat generation above the 130 W baseline. Benchmark results do not include any thermal or power measurements, so the data does not indicate how much headroom exists for overclocking. The dual-die design (2x 81 mm²) means heat is generated across two physical dies, which can impact thermal density. For a system builder, the 130 W TDP implies a need for a motherboard with robust power delivery and a chassis with good ventilation.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is sparse. The `benchmarks` array is empty, and the `avgBenchmarkScore` is 0. The only performance metric available is the `percentileVsAllCpus` value of 50, which places this processor exactly at the median of all CPUs in the database. This is a neutral position — it is neither a top-tier performer nor a low-end part. Without specific benchmark scores or nearest rivals, there are no exact percentage deltas to report against competing processors.

The absence of rival comparisons in the data means the 955’s position must be interpreted from its percentile alone. A 50th percentile ranking suggests that half of all CPUs in the database perform better and half perform worse. For a processor launched at $999 with a 3.47 GHz clock speed and 2 cores / 4 threads, this median standing indicates that its architectural limitations (NetBurst’s long pipeline and high power draw) prevented it from achieving top-tier performance even at launch. The 2 MB L2 cache per core (4 MB total) is substantial for the era, and the 16 KB L1 cache per core is typical for NetBurst.

The empty benchmark array means the database contains no raw scores for single-threaded or multi-threaded workloads. The 4 threads (via Hyper-Threading on 2 cores) would have helped with multitasking, but the NetBurst architecture’s efficiency per clock is known to be lower than more modern designs. The 50th percentile is the sole quantitative anchor, and it suggests that this processor delivers mid-pack performance across the entire CPU landscape, which includes many newer and more efficient parts.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 775 interface, which is a desktop platform socket from the mid-2000s.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The fact pack lists `eccMemory` as false.

Q: What memory types can be used with this CPU?

A: The processor supports DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory, but the actual type depends on the motherboard chipset.

Q: Is the multiplier locked?

A: No, the multiplier is unlocked, which allows for overclocking on compatible motherboards.

Q: Does the CPU have integrated graphics?

A: No, the processor itself has no integrated graphics. Display output is only available on certain motherboards via the chipset feature.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 130 W, which requires a robust cooling solution suitable for high-power desktop CPUs.

Q: When was this processor released?

A: The release date is December 26, 2005, and the production status is now end-of-life.

How It Compares

The fact pack lists no nearest rivals for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955, so no direct score comparisons or percentage deltas can be made. The only positioning data is the 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs in the database. This places the 955 exactly at the median — a clear indication that it does not lead its performance class. For context, a processor at this percentile would be outperformed by the top 50% of all CPUs, which includes later dual-core, quad-core, and higher-core-count parts from both Intel and AMD.

Without rival scores, a qualitative assessment must rely on the architectural data. The 3.47 GHz base clock is high for its time, but the NetBurst architecture’s long pipeline is less efficient per clock than newer designs. The 2 MB L2 cache per core helps mitigate this, but the 130 W TDP is high relative to the performance delivered. The unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential, which could push the 955 above its median standing in synthetic benchmarks, but the database does not include such results.

The lack of rivals in the data is itself informative: it suggests the 955’s performance profile is not closely matched by any other CPU in the database’s comparison set. This is likely due to its unique combination of a high clock speed, dual cores with Hyper-Threading, and a high TDP, which places it in a niche between earlier NetBurst parts and later Core 2 architectures. The 50th percentile is the final word — this is a middle-of-the-road processor that was expensive at launch but delivers only average performance by today’s database standards.