Intel Pentium III Xeon 800 2.8V

The Intel Pentium III Xeon 800 2.8V is a single-core processor from the P6 architecture family, built on Intel’s 180 nm process with 28 million transistors on a 106 mm² die. It targets the Server/Workstation segment, fitting the Slot 2 socket, and its data reveals a distinct performance profile that separates it sharply from modern multi-core designs. The benchmark results, while limited, place it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs tracked, indicating a median position in the broader historical database rather than a standout or laggard performance tier.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Pentium III Xeon 800 2.8V operates with exactly 1 core and 1 thread, meaning all computational work is serialized through a single execution pipeline. Its base clock is fixed at 800.00 MHz with no boost clock available, so performance is entirely dependent on that single frequency. In single-threaded workloads, this processor relies solely on its architectural efficiency and clock speed; the data shows no multi-threading capability, so any task that cannot be parallelized will see performance directly tied to that 800.00 MHz figure. For the era, this was a high-frequency part, but the absence of a boost clock means there is no dynamic headroom for transient workloads.

Multi-threaded behavior is effectively non-existent here—with 1 thread, the processor cannot execute concurrent threads, so operating systems and applications that leverage multiple threads will see no benefit from parallelism. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that in a mixed workload environment, this chip sits exactly at the median of all CPUs, meaning half of tracked processors outperform it and half underperform it. For real workloads, this translates to a scenario where single-threaded applications—such as legacy database queries or single-process CAD tasks—will perform predictably, but any modern multi-threaded application will not scale. The L1 cache is 32 KB, and L2 is 256 KB, providing a modest data buffer that helps mitigate the low clock speed in repetitive tasks but does not compensate for the lack of parallel execution.

The split between single-thread and multi-thread behavior is stark: the processor is a pure single-thread performer, and its 50th percentile score reflects that it is neither exceptionally fast nor slow for its class. The data implies that for workloads from its release period—around early 2000—this was a capable server part, but for modern operating systems that schedule threads across multiple cores, it would be a bottleneck. The 800.00 MHz clock is the sole determinant of speed, and without a boost clock, there is no adaptive frequency scaling to handle bursty workloads.

Who Should Consider It

Given the single-core, single-thread design, this processor is suited only for workloads that are inherently serial and do not require modern instruction sets or high memory bandwidth. For gaming, the data does not indicate any integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU would be mandatory, and the 800.00 MHz clock would severely limit frame rates in any game from the last two decades. The 50th percentile ranking suggests it is not competitive with even entry-level processors from the last decade, so gaming is not a realistic use case.

For creation workloads—such as video editing, 3D rendering, or audio production—the lack of multi-threading is a critical disadvantage. These applications typically scale across multiple cores, and with only 1 thread, render times would be excessive. The 256 KB L2 cache and 32 KB L1 cache provide some benefit for repetitive calculations, but the absence of an L3 cache means no shared cache for complex data sets. The data does not show any memory support specifications, so memory bandwidth is unknown, but the single-channel memory bus indicates a narrow data path.

Office workloads, such as word processing, spreadsheet calculations, or web browsing, would function but with noticeable sluggishness compared to modern processors. The 50th percentile score implies it is exactly average among all CPUs, which for office tasks means it can handle basic document editing but will struggle with modern JavaScript-heavy web pages or large spreadsheets. The server/workstation market segment suggests it was intended for file serving or dedicated single-threaded server tasks, such as a print server or a legacy database server running one query at a time. For that narrow niche, the 800.00 MHz clock and 256 KB L2 cache are adequate, but for any general-purpose computing, it is not recommended.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field in the data is empty, meaning there are no direct competitor scores or deltaPct values provided for comparison. This absence is notable: the processor stands alone in its benchmark database entry, with no rival CPUs to contextualize its performance. The 50th percentile vs all CPUs is the only comparative metric available, indicating that it sits at the median of the entire database. Without rival scores, the data cannot show whether it outperforms or lags specific contemporaries, such as other Pentium III variants or early Athlon processors.

The lack of rivals suggests that either the processor was too niche for direct comparisons or that benchmark data was not collected against peers. In the absence of deltaPct values, any claims about being faster or slower than a specific rival would be unsupported by the FACT PACK. The only verifiable statement is that it holds a median percentile position, meaning statistically half of all CPUs in the database score higher and half score lower. This is a weak position for a server part, as server workloads often demand top-tier performance, but the data does not confirm this hypothesis without rival comparisons.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of this processor?

A: The processor has 1 core and 1 thread, making it a single-threaded part.

Q: What is the base clock speed?

A: The base clock is 800.00 MHz, with no boost clock available.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, the data indicates eccMemory is false, so ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses the Intel Slot 2 socket.

Q: What is the production status?

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

Q: What is the TDP?

A: The thermal design power is 25 watts.

Benchmark Performance

The avgBenchmarkScore is 0, and the percentileVsAllCpus is 50, indicating that the processor has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, yet it is positioned at the median percentile. This is an odd data point: a zero score with a 50th percentile suggests that the percentile is derived from historical data rather than current benchmarks, or that the score is normalized against older CPUs. The 50th percentile is a neutral ranking—not a measure of raw speed but of relative position. Without any nearestRivals or deltaPct values, there are no exact percentage deltas to report against competitors.

The data shows no scores to analyze, so performance must be inferred from the clock speed and cache hierarchy. At 800.00 MHz, the processor is slower than any modern CPU by a wide margin, but within its 2000 release context, that was a high clock. The 256 KB L2 cache is moderate for the era, and the 180 nm process node with 28 million transistors indicates a mature design. The lack of benchmark scores means the 50th percentile is a placeholder, not a measured result. For readers, this implies that the processor’s performance is unverified in the current database, and any claims about its speed relative to rivals cannot be substantiated with numeric deltas.

The zero avgBenchmarkScore is critical: it means no synthetic or real-world tests have been recorded for this part. Therefore, the 50th percentile is likely a default or historical rank, not a reflection of active testing. In terms of raw capability, the 800.00 MHz clock and single thread will underperform any multi-core processor from the last 15 years, but the data does not quantify this gap. The only definitive statement is that it sits at the median of all CPUs, which is a weak position for a server part.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses the Intel Slot 2 socket, which is a cartridge-based form factor specific to early Xeon processors. The architecture is P6, codenamed Cascades, and it belongs to the Pentium III Xeon generation. The process node is 180 nm, fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 106 mm². The memory bus is single-channel, but the data does not specify the memory type or bandwidth, so compatibility with specific RAM modules is unknown. ECC memory is not supported, which is unusual for a server part, as ECC is commonly required for error correction in server environments.

The cache hierarchy includes 32 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, with no L3 cache or vCache3d. The absence of an L3 cache limits the processor’s ability to handle large data sets that exceed the L2 capacity. The pcie field is null, indicating that the processor predates PCIe or that the data was not collected; the Slot 2 socket typically uses AGP or PCI for expansion, but no specifics are given. The multiplier is not unlocked, so overclocking is not possible. The part number is SL3WTSL4H8, and the release date is 2000-01-11, placing it in the early days of 2000.

Upgrade path is limited: Slot 2 was used for a relatively short period, and the end-of-life status means no future compatibility with newer sockets. The single-channel memory bus is a bottleneck for modern workloads, as dual-channel or higher bandwidth is standard. The lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is required for any display output, and the null pcie field suggests that expansion options are limited to legacy slots. For a server, this means the platform is fixed and cannot be upgraded without replacing the motherboard and processor.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is 25 watts, which is remarkably low by modern standards but typical for a 180 nm single-core processor at 800.00 MHz. This low TDP implies that a passive heat sink or a small fan would suffice for cooling; there is no need for a liquid cooler or a large tower cooler. The 25-watt figure indicates that power consumption is minimal, which is beneficial for reducing operational costs in a server environment where many processors may be running simultaneously.

The 180 nm process node is a key factor in the low TDP, as larger node sizes generally consume more power per transistor. With 28 million transistors, the power density is low, allowing for simple cooling solutions. The absence of a boost clock also means no thermal spikes from frequency scaling, so the 25-watt TDP is a constant draw under load. For a server rack, this low power draw means less heat generation, reducing the need for aggressive cooling infrastructure.

The thermal implications are straightforward: a capable air cooler—such as a standard aluminum heat sink with a 40mm fan—would be sufficient. The data does not specify a cooler requirement, but the 25-watt TDP falls into the lowest power class, so even a passive cooler with adequate airflow would likely suffice. The end-of-life status means that replacement cooling parts may be scarce, but the low TDP means thermal management is not a concern. The 800.00 MHz clock at 25 watts yields a power efficiency that is respectable for the era, though modern processors achieve far higher performance per watt.