Intel Pentium M 745

The Intel Pentium M 745 is a single-core mobile processor introduced by Intel in May 2004, part of the Pentium M family built on the Dothan architecture. Fabricated on a 90 nm process with 144 million transistors and a die size of 87 mm², it operates at a base clock of 1800 MHz with no boost clock. The chip includes 32 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, supports DDR2 memory, and carries a 21 W TDP. In the benchmark database, it holds a 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 0, indicating a median position despite the absence of recorded test results.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Pentium M 745 is minimal: the average benchmark score is recorded as 0, and no individual test scores are listed. The 50th percentile placement, however, provides a relative anchor. This processor sits exactly at the median of all CPUs in the database, meaning an equal number of parts rank above and below it. In single-threaded workloads, the 1800 MHz clock and the 2 MB L2 cache are the primary performance drivers. The large L2 cache for a single-core chip helps reduce memory latency, which can be critical for applications that rely on repeated data access. Without specific rival scores, a precise percentage delta cannot be calculated, but the percentile indicates a mid-range performance tier for its era.

The absence of a boost clock means the 1800 MHz frequency is the peak sustained speed, simplifying performance expectations. The single core and single thread limit parallel throughput, but the high clock relative to the cache size suggests a design optimized for responsiveness in everyday mobile tasks. The 50th percentile ranking implies that the Pentium M 745 outperforms half of the processors in the database and is outperformed by the other half, a balanced standing that aligns with its position as a mainstream mobile part in 2004. The lack of benchmark scores makes it impossible to quantify its performance against specific CPUs, but the percentile alone offers a broad reference point.

Power and Thermals

The 21 W thermal design power is a defining characteristic of the Pentium M 745. It places the processor in a low-power envelope suitable for compact mobile chassis. The 90 nm process and 144 million transistors on an 87 mm² die indicate a dense yet efficient design for its time. The absence of a boost clock means power draw remains constant under sustained load, which simplifies thermal management. A modest cooling solution—such as a small heatpipe and fan—would be sufficient to dissipate the heat generated by this chip. The integrated graphics, when present, are a chipset feature rather than part of the CPU, so the processor itself does not contribute additional GPU thermal load. The 21 W TDP also implies that the chip can be used in thin-and-light laptops without aggressive cooling, a key advantage for mobile platforms of the early 2000s.

The 90 nm manufacturing process was a significant step for Intel, allowing higher transistor density and lower power consumption compared to earlier nodes. With 144 million transistors packed into 87 mm², the design balances complexity with thermal efficiency. The 2 MB L2 cache, while large for a single-core part, does not drastically increase power draw because it is integrated on-die and benefits from the process technology. The 21 W figure is consistent with a processor that prioritizes battery life and low heat output over raw performance, making it well-suited for notebooks where thermal headroom is limited.

Platform and Compatibility

The Pentium M 745 uses Intel Socket 479, a mobile-specific socket that ties the processor to laptop motherboards. It supports DDR2 memory, with no ECC capability, indicating a consumer-oriented platform rather than a server or workstation part. The integrated graphics are listed as "on certain motherboards," meaning the CPU itself lacks a graphics core; instead, the chipset provides display output when paired with compatible boards. This separation was typical for the era, as graphics processing was handled by separate chipsets or discrete GPUs.

The processor was released on May 9, 2004, and is now end-of-life, meaning Intel no longer produces or supports it. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option for users seeking additional performance. The part number is SL7EN. The platform's upgrade path is limited: because Socket 479 is proprietary to mobile designs, users cannot swap in a different CPU without replacing the entire motherboard or laptop. The DDR2 memory support indicates the system's memory controller is external to the CPU, relying on the chipset for memory access. No PCIe information is provided, so expansion capabilities remain unspecified. The combination of a locked multiplier, end-of-life status, and mobile socket confines the Pentium M 745 to its original system, with no forward compatibility.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock speed of the Intel Pentium M 745?

A: The base clock is 1800 MHz. There is no boost clock listed.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread.

Q: What is the TDP?

A: The thermal design power is 21 watts.

Q: Which socket does it use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 479.

Q: What memory type does it support?

A: It supports DDR2 memory. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: When was it released?

A: It was released on May 9, 2004.

Q: What is the L2 cache size?

A: It has 2 MB of L2 cache.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field for the Pentium M 745 is empty, so no direct comparison to specific competing CPUs is available from the database. However, the 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs provides a broad reference point: the processor sits exactly in the middle of the performance distribution. This means that in the database's aggregate scoring, it outperforms half of all recorded processors and is outperformed by the other half. Given its 2004 release and mobile focus, this is a typical position for a mid-range single-core mobile part of that generation. The lack of benchmark scores (average score 0) makes a more granular comparison impossible, but the percentile alone suggests a balanced performance profile. The 21 W TDP and 2 MB L2 cache place it in a class of efficient, single-threaded mobile chips, but without rival data, a precise competitive assessment cannot be made. The end-of-life status further removes it from any active comparison in the current market, where its performance would be far below modern standards. Nonetheless, the 50th percentile is a meaningful marker: it indicates that the Pentium M 745 was not a standout performer nor a laggard, but rather a typical representative of its era's mobile CPU landscape.