Intel Pentium III 800

The Intel Pentium III 800 is a single-core desktop processor from the Coppermine T generation, released on 2001-05-31. It operates at a base clock of 800.00 MHz, draws 38 W of power, and uses the Intel Socket 370 interface. The database lists no benchmark scores for this part, but its 50th percentile rank places it exactly at the median of all CPUs in the database, indicating a middle-of-the-road position among a population that includes many older and embedded parts.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK reports an average benchmark score of 0 and an empty benchmarks array, meaning no synthetic performance measurements have been recorded for this processor. Consequently, direct numerical comparisons against other CPUs are impossible from this dataset. What remains is the percentile field: the Pentium III 800 sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs, which implies it outperforms exactly half of the entries in the database. This is a relative ranking, not an absolute score, and it should be interpreted cautiously given that the database likely contains a wide range of architectures, from low-power embedded chips to high-end server parts.

The processor’s architectural characteristics provide some inferential basis for performance. It has a single core and a single thread, so it cannot execute multiple instruction streams simultaneously. The base clock of 800.00 MHz is the sole frequency indicator; there is no boost clock. The cache hierarchy consists of 8 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2. A 256 KB L2 cache is substantial for a processor of this vintage, but without benchmark data it is impossible to quantify its impact. The P6 architecture, the 180 nm process node, and the 44 million transistor count on an 80 mm² die are all historical details, but they do not translate into measurable performance figures in this dataset.

Given the lack of scores, any claim about real-world speed would be speculative. The 50th percentile rank is the only quantitative performance indicator available. It suggests that in the database’s population, this CPU is not an outlier in either direction. For a processor released in 2001, that is plausible, but the absence of benchmark scores means the data cannot confirm or refute that intuition.

Power and Thermals

The Pentium III 800 has a TDP of 38 W. This is a modest thermal envelope by any standard. A 38 W processor does not require exotic cooling; a standard air cooler with a small heatsink and fan is more than sufficient. The low TDP also implies that the CPU can operate in systems with limited airflow, such as compact desktop cases or even passively cooled configurations if the ambient environment is favorable. The 180 nm process node, while large by modern standards, is paired with a relatively low clock speed, which contributes to the restrained power draw.

For a builder assembling a retro system, the thermal management is straightforward. The 38 W figure means that the CPU will not stress a typical power delivery system on a Socket 370 motherboard. It also means that the heat output is low enough that a standard 80 mm fan or a simple aluminum heatsink will keep temperatures within safe limits. There is no need for liquid cooling or large tower coolers. The data does not provide any thermal throttling or maximum temperature specifications, but the TDP alone indicates that this is a low-power part.

Who Should Consider It

The Pentium III 800 is a single-core, single-thread processor with an 800 MHz base clock. With only 8 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 cache, its performance ceiling is inherently limited. The 50th percentile rank suggests it is not a high-performance part, but it is not at the very bottom either. For workloads that are strictly single-threaded and not demanding, such as basic text editing, legacy spreadsheet use, or simple terminal operations, this CPU could still be functional. However, the lack of benchmark scores means that even these qualitative claims cannot be backed by measured data.

Because the production status is end-of-life, this processor is not a candidate for new builds. It is more relevant for retro computing enthusiasts, collectors, or those maintaining legacy systems that require a Socket 370 CPU. The integrated graphics are available only on certain motherboards via the chipset, so a discrete graphics card would be necessary for any visual output in most setups. With one core and one thread, modern multitasking or parallel workloads are out of the question. The processor is best suited for running old operating systems and software that predate multi-core requirements.

In the context of the database, the 50th percentile rank means that half of the CPUs in the database are slower and half are faster. This places it in a middle tier, but given that the database includes many low-power and embedded parts, this percentile does not imply strong performance by modern standards. For anyone considering this CPU for daily use, the data clearly indicates it is a legacy part with no recorded performance metrics.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK includes a `nearestRivals` array that is empty. This means the database provides no direct comparison points against specific rival processors. Without rival names, scores, or deltaPct values, it is impossible to state that the Pentium III 800 is X% faster or slower than any other CPU. The only comparative metric is the overall percentile rank of 50, which is a global position across all CPUs in the database, not a head-to-head comparison.

Given the absence of rival data, any attempt to compare this processor to a contemporary Intel or AMD part would rely on external knowledge, which is not permitted. The data simply does not offer a basis for such analysis. The empty `nearestRivals` field also means that the typical benchmark database features—such as "30% ahead of a rival in multi-core"—cannot be written. The conclusion is that this processor stands alone in the dataset with no direct competitive context.

Platform and Compatibility

The Pentium III 800 uses the Intel Socket 370 interface. This socket is specific to a range of Intel processors from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The architecture is P6, and the codename is Coppermine T, which indicates a later revision of the Coppermine core. The process node is 180 nm, and the die size is 80 mm², with 44 million transistors. The processor has no PCIe support listed in the data; the `pcie` field is null. Memory support is also not specified (`memorySupport` is null), so the type, speed, and capacity of RAM are unknown from this dataset. ECC memory is not supported (`eccMemory` is false).

Integrated graphics are not built into the CPU itself. The FACT PACK notes "On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)"—meaning that video output depends on the motherboard’s chipset providing an integrated GPU, not on the processor. For a system using this CPU, a discrete graphics card is typically required unless the motherboard has an integrated graphics controller.

The production status is end-of-life, so there is no upgrade path in the sense of purchasing a new unit. However, within the Socket 370 platform, a user could theoretically replace this CPU with another Socket 370 processor, but the data does not specify which other models are compatible. The release date of 2001-05-31 indicates that this is a product from over two decades ago, and modern software and operating systems are unlikely to run efficiently, if at all.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock speed of the Intel Pentium III 800?

A: The base clock is 800.00 MHz. There is no boost clock listed.

Q: How many cores and threads does this processor have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread, making it a single-core, single-thread part.

Q: What is the TDP of the Pentium III 800?

A: The thermal design power is 38 W, which is a low-power envelope suitable for simple air cooling.

Q: What socket does this CPU use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 370 interface.

Q: Does the processor have integrated graphics?

A: Integrated graphics are available only on certain motherboards as a chipset feature; the CPU itself does not include graphics.

Q: What is the production status of this part?

A: The production status is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer manufactured.

Q: What is the L2 cache size?

A: The L2 cache is 256 KB, with an L1 cache of 8 KB.