Intel Pentium III Xeon 700-2M 2.8V

The Intel Pentium III Xeon 700-2M 2.8V is a single-core, single-thread server/workstation processor built on Intel's P6 architecture with the Cascades-2M codename. It runs at 700.00 MHz, carries 32 KB of L1 cache and a 2 MB L2 cache, and sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs tracked in this database. Released on May 21, 2000, at a launch MSRP of $1980, it was manufactured on a 180 nm process with 140 million transistors on a 375 mm² die, using the Intel Slot 2 socket.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for this part is sparse. The database records an average benchmark score of 0, which reflects the absence of submitted runs rather than a literal zero-performance result. With no recorded scores, the only positional metric available is the 50th percentile placement against all CPUs in the database — a median standing that puts the Pentium III Xeon 700-2M 2.8V exactly in the middle of the tracked field.

That median placement is consistent with the silicon's design. A single core and single thread at 700.00 MHz was a mainstream server clock in its era, and the 2 MB L2 cache — a massive amount for the time — was the headline feature. The cache hierarchy (32 KB L1, 2 MB L2, no L3) means workloads that fit within the L2 would see far better effective performance than those that spilled to the single-channel memory bus.

Because no rival scores are listed in the nearestRivals field, there are no deltaPct values to report. The 50th percentile is the only comparative anchor: this processor is neither a top-tier performer nor a bottom-tier one within the database's full population. For a 2000-era server part, that median placement reflects a design aimed at capacity (the 2 MB L2) rather than raw clock speed.

The 0 average benchmark score also means the database cannot confirm any multi-threaded advantage — with 1 core and 1 thread, there is none to measure. Single-threaded integer and floating-point workloads are the only applicable domain, and the 700.00 MHz clock defines the ceiling. The large L2 mitigates memory latency for working sets under 2 MB, which is the key performance lever this chip possesses. The absence of a boost clock means the 700.00 MHz figure is both the floor and the ceiling for sustained operation.

Who Should Consider It

The Pentium III Xeon 700-2M 2.8V is a Server/Workstation part, and the data reflects that positioning. Single-threaded server workloads that are cache-resident — think database index lookups, small transaction processing, or legacy single-process applications — are the natural fit. The 2 MB L2 is the standout feature; it dwarfs the 32 KB L1 and provides a large fast working set for data that would otherwise cross the single-channel memory bus.

For gaming, this is not a suitable part by modern standards. A single 700.00 MHz core with single-channel memory and no ECC support would struggle with contemporary titles, and the database's 50th percentile placement confirms it is not a performance leader. The absence of a boost clock means the 700.00 MHz is the maximum sustained frequency; there is no headroom beyond the base figure.

For office productivity, the single thread and modest clock would handle basic document editing and spreadsheet work from the era, but the Server/Workstation market segment indicates it was never aimed at mainstream desktops. The 30W TDP is low, which makes it an interesting candidate for legacy systems or embedded-style deployments where power draw matters more than throughput.

Creation workloads — rendering, video encoding, large compiles — are poor fits. These are heavily multi-threaded tasks, and a 1-core, 1-thread processor with no boost clock cannot compete. The 2 MB L2 helps only if the entire working set fits, which is rarely the case for creation software.

The most honest recommendation: this is a collector's item, a historical server part, or a niche single-threaded appliance CPU. The 50th percentile standing and 0 benchmark score mean no workload category shows a measurable advantage in this database.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field for the Pentium III Xeon 700-2M 2.8V is empty, so there are no named rivals, scores, or deltaPct values to cite. The only comparative data point is the 50th percentile across all CPUs in the database.

That absence is itself informative. The database has not recorded any direct competitor relationships for this part, which is typical for end-of-life server silicon from 2000. Without rival scores, the median percentile is the sole yardstick: this chip sits exactly at the midpoint of the tracked population, neither outperforming half the field nor being outperformed by the other half.

In the absence of rival entries, the comparison must be drawn against the chip's own specifications. The 2 MB L2 versus the 32 KB L1 shows where the design invested its transistor budget — 140 million transistors on a 375 mm² die, most of it presumably devoted to that cache. The 700.00 MHz clock, by contrast, is modest, and the single-channel memory bus with no ECC support limits server-class reliability features.

For anyone evaluating this part today, the empty rival list means there is no head-to-head percentage advantage to quote. The 50th percentile is the only ranked statement the database supports, and it places the chip at the median of a field that spans decades of processor generations.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Pentium III Xeon 700-2M 2.8V use?

A: It uses the Intel Slot 2 socket.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The TDP is 30 watts.

Q: How much cache does it have?

A: It has 32 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Q: When was it released?

A: It was released on May 21, 2000.

Power and Thermals

The 30W TDP places the Pentium III Xeon 700-2M 2.8V in a low-power class for a server part. This is a direct consequence of the 180 nm process and the modest 700.00 MHz clock — the large 2 MB L2 cache is static RAM, which adds die area (375 mm²) and transistor count (140 million) but does not scale dynamic power the way high-frequency logic does.

A 30W TDP implies a modest cooling solution. A basic air cooler with a small fan would be sufficient; there is no need for liquid cooling or a large tower heatsink. The Intel Slot 2 form factor means the heatsink attaches to the cartridge, and the 30W figure suggests a passive or low-speed fan design would have been adequate in the original chassis.

The 180 nm process node, 140 million transistors, and 375 mm² die size are the physical parameters that determine this thermal envelope. The die is large because of the 2 MB L2, but the low clock keeps switching losses down. In a modern context, 30W is comparable to a low-end mobile chip — easily handled by any standard cooling tier.

For system builders, the practical implication is straightforward: any off-the-shelf cooler compatible with Slot 2 that is rated for 30W or more will keep this processor within its thermal limits. The absence of a boost clock means there is no transient power spike to plan for; the 700.00 MHz sustained frequency draws a steady, predictable load. The 2.8V designation in the part name distinguishes this variant from other Pentium III Xeon models, though the database does not list a separate voltage specification beyond the name itself.