Intel Pentium III Xeon 700 2.8V

The Intel Pentium III Xeon 700 2.8V is a single-core, single-thread server/workstation processor from Intel, released on May 21, 2000. It runs at a fixed 700 MHz base clock, carries 32 KB of L1 cache and a 1 MB L2 cache, and is built on Intel's 180 nm process with 140 million transistors on a 375 mm² die. The database records no benchmark scores for this part, and its nearestRivals list is empty; the only performance indicator is a percentile rank of 50, placing it exactly at the median of all CPUs in the dataset. This analysis interprets the available specifications to describe what this CPU can and cannot do.

Benchmark Performance

No benchmark scores are present in the dataset for this processor, and no rival comparisons are available. The avgBenchmarkScore is 0, which likely reflects the absence of recorded measurements rather than a literal performance of zero. The percentileVsAllCpus value of 50 indicates that, in the overall distribution of CPUs in the database, this part sits precisely in the middle—neither a standout nor a laggard. Without concrete scores, any performance assessment must rely on the physical specifications.

The CPU has one core and one thread, meaning it executes a single instruction stream at any given moment. The 700 MHz clock is the sole frequency; there is no boost clock. The 1 MB L2 cache is notably large for a single-core design, which suggests that cache-sensitive workloads—those with high data reuse—could benefit from reduced memory latency. However, the single-channel memory bus (as listed in the memory bus field) limits the rate at which data can be transferred from main memory. This combination of a large cache and narrow memory bus implies that the CPU performs best when working sets fit within the 1 MB L2 cache.

In practical terms, the CPU's performance is entirely single-threaded. Any application that can be parallelized will see no advantage from multiple threads, because only one thread can be active. The lack of a boost clock means the 700 MHz is constant, so there is no transient speedup. For legacy single-threaded server tasks such as simple database queries or file serving, the large L2 cache could provide acceptable responsiveness for its time, but the absence of benchmark data prevents any quantitative comparison. The median percentile suggests that, in the broader CPU landscape, this part is unremarkable.

Power and Thermals

The TDP of this processor is 29 watts. This is a low power envelope, especially for a Xeon-branded part, and it implies that cooling requirements are modest. A simple passive heatsink or a low-speed fan would be sufficient to keep the CPU within safe operating temperatures. The 180 nm process node, combined with 140 million transistors on a 375 mm² die, does not translate into high power draw; the design is efficient enough to stay within the 29W limit.

For a slot-based CPU (Intel Slot 2), the thermal solution is typically a large heatsink that clips onto the slot cartridge. Given the 29W TDP, even a basic aluminum heatsink with minimal airflow would handle the heat. In a multi-CPU server chassis, the cumulative power of several such processors would remain manageable, which is consistent with the CPU's intended server/workstation market. The low TDP also reduces stress on the voltage regulator modules and simplifies power delivery design.

Who Should Consider It

This processor is end-of-life and was released in 2000, so it is not suitable for any modern workload. Gaming, content creation, and office productivity applications all require far more than one core and a 700 MHz clock. The single thread means that even a lightweight modern web browser would struggle, as it would be forced to time-slice all its threads onto one core.

The CPU is relevant only for legacy systems, retrocomputing enthusiasts, or industrial equipment that relies on this specific hardware. The 1 MB L2 cache might be advantageous for certain embedded or database workloads that were common in early 2000s servers, where cache hit rates were critical for performance. The low 29W TDP also makes it easy to integrate into older motherboards that were designed for lower-power processors.

For anyone considering this CPU for a modern build, the data does not support it. The lack of benchmark scores and the median percentile indicate that it offers no performance advantage. It is best suited as a replacement part for a failed CPU in a vintage server or as a collector's item for hardware history.

Platform and Compatibility

The CPU uses the Intel Slot 2 socket, which is a slot-based interface rather than a pin-grid array. This form factor was used for early Xeon processors and is now obsolete. The memory bus is single-channel, and while no specific memory type is listed, the P6 architecture suggests support for EDO or SDRAM. ECC memory is not supported, as indicated by the eccMemory field being false.

The lack of PCIe information in the fact pack implies that this CPU predates PCIe; it likely relies on AGP and PCI buses for expansion. The upgrade path is nonexistent—the CPU is end-of-life, and no compatible successors are listed. The part number (SL3U4SL49PSL4GDSL4RZSL4XUSL5D4) indicates multiple steppings, but no functional differences are specified. The launch MSRP was $1177, reflecting its original server-grade positioning. Any motherboard with a Slot 2 connector that supports the P6 architecture and the appropriate voltage (as implied by the 2.8V in the name) would be required for operation.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock speed of this processor?

A: The base clock is 700.00 MHz.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread.

Q: What is the size of the L2 cache?

A: The L2 cache is 1 MB.

Q: What socket does this CPU use?

A: It uses the Intel Slot 2 socket.

Q: What is the TDP of this CPU?

A: The TDP is 29 watts.

Q: When was this processor released?

A: It was released on May 21, 2000.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

With only one core and one thread, this CPU is strictly single-threaded. There is no support for simultaneous multithreading (such as Hyper-Threading) or multiple cores. Consequently, any workload that can be parallelized will run at the speed of a single thread. The 700 MHz clock is the sole determinant of execution speed; there is no turbo or boost mechanism.

The 1 MB L2 cache is a significant asset for single-threaded performance. It allows frequently accessed data to be stored close to the execution core, reducing the need to access the slower system memory. For workloads that exhibit temporal or spatial locality, this cache can substantially improve throughput. However, the single-channel memory bus limits the rate at which data can be fetched from main memory, which could bottleneck cache misses.

In multi-threaded scenarios, the CPU cannot take advantage of parallelism. Operating systems will schedule threads across the single core, leading to context switching overhead. This makes the CPU unsuitable for modern multitasking or server workloads that rely on concurrent requests. The only way to achieve multi-threaded performance would be to use multiple CPUs in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) configuration, but that would require a motherboard with multiple Slot 2 sockets, which is not specified in the data.

Given the lack of benchmark scores, the single-threaded behavior is best understood through the clock speed and cache hierarchy. The 700 MHz frequency, combined with the large L2 cache, suggests that this CPU could handle single-threaded legacy applications with acceptable responsiveness for its era, but it cannot compete with any modern processor on raw throughput or parallel efficiency.