Intel Xeon 5148

The Intel Xeon 5148 is a dual-core server processor from Intel's Woodcrest generation, built on the Core 2 architecture at a 65 nm process node. Released on 2006-06-25 and now end-of-life, it targets the Server/Workstation segment with a 40 W TDP, a fixed 2.33 GHz clock, and 4 MB of L2 cache. It uses Intel Socket 771 and supports DDR2 memory with ECC enabled.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Xeon 5148 is sparse: the dataset records an average benchmark score of 0 and a percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs. No individual benchmark entries are stored, and no nearest rivals are listed. A score of 0 does not indicate a non-functional chip; it means no measured performance runs have been recorded in this database. The percentile of 50 is the more informative figure. It places the Xeon 5148 exactly at the median of every CPU in the database, half of all processors score at or above it, and half score below. For a 2006 dual-core server part, a median position is a plausible outcome. The chip was never a flagship; it sat in the middle of Intel's Woodcrest lineup.

The fixed 2.33 GHz base clock with no boost clock means the chip runs at one speed regardless of load. There is no turbo headroom, so single-thread performance is entirely determined by that clock and the Core 2 architecture's instructions-per-clock efficiency. The 4 MB L2 cache is generous for a dual-core part of its era and helps with repeated data access in server workloads. However, the 2-thread ceiling is the dominant constraint. In a heavily threaded benchmark, the Xeon 5148 can only execute two threads simultaneously, which limits its scalability. In lightly threaded tasks, a single-threaded database query, a legacy workstation application, the 2.33 GHz clock and the 4 MB cache carry the workload. The data shows no rival deltas, so there are no percentage comparisons to report. The chip's position is defined solely by its median percentile and its architectural limits.

Who Should Consider It

The Xeon 5148 is a Server/Workstation part, and the data supports that positioning. Two cores and two threads at 2.33 GHz with ECC DDR2 memory make it suitable for basic server functions where reliability matters more than raw throughput. A small office file server, a lightweight web server, or a dedicated application server handling a single service would not be overwhelmed by the dual-core design. The ECC memory support is a meaningful feature for any workload where memory corruption is unacceptable, financial records, long-running calculations, or database transactions.

For workstation use, the chip fits legacy single-threaded applications best. Many older engineering and design tools were written before multi-core became standard, and those tools run fine on a 2.33 GHz Core 2 core with a large L2 cache. The 4 MB L2 reduces the penalty of cache misses in data-heavy tasks. On the other hand, the chip is a poor fit for modern multi-threaded creation workloads. Video rendering, 3D simulation, and software compilation all scale across many threads, and a 2-thread processor will bottleneck hard. Gaming is also not a realistic use case: the chip has no integrated graphics, and the server segment designation means no consumer gaming features are present. The end-of-life production status means buyers should treat this as a legacy part for existing systems, not a new build.

Power and Thermals

The Xeon 5148 has a TDP of 40 W. That is a low figure for a server processor, and it has direct implications for cooling. A basic air cooler, the kind that ships with entry-level desktop CPUs, is more than sufficient. In a dense server chassis with limited airflow, the 40 W heat output is easy to manage. The 65 nm process node is relatively large by modern standards, but the low clock and modest core count keep power draw in check. There is no boost clock, so power consumption does not spike under load; the chip draws a steady amount. For system builders, the practical takeaway is that thermal design is not a concern. Any cooler that fits Socket 771 will handle this chip. The end-of-life status means Intel no longer provides official thermal guidance, but the 40 W TDP is a reliable planning figure. The low power draw also makes the chip suitable for applications where energy efficiency is a consideration, though the 65 nm process limits how efficient it can be compared to newer silicon.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Xeon 5148 use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 771.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What type of memory does it support?

A: It supports DDR2 memory, and ECC memory is enabled.

Q: What is the TDP of the Xeon 5148?

A: The TDP is 40 W.

Q: When was the Xeon 5148 released?

A: It was released on 2006-06-25.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field in the dataset is empty, so there are no named rivals and no delta percentages to report. This is a significant limitation for comparison. Without rival names and scores, the Xeon 5148 can only be positioned by its percentile rank. At the 50th percentile against all CPUs, it sits at the median. In the context of its own generation, a dual-core Woodcrest at 2.33 GHz would have been positioned below higher-clocked dual-core parts and below the quad-core Xeon models that followed, but the dataset provides no names or scores for those parts. The absence of rival data means any claim about being "ahead of" or "behind" a specific competitor cannot be made from this fact pack. The only honest statement is that the chip occupies the median of the database's CPU population and carries a benchmark score of 0, meaning no measured runs are recorded.

Platform and Compatibility

The Xeon 5148 is built on Intel's Core 2 architecture with the Woodcrest codename, fabricated on a 65 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It fits Intel Socket 771, a platform designed for dual-socket server boards. The chip supports DDR2 memory with ECC enabled, which is a requirement for many server and workstation boards of that era. The dataset does not list PCIe support, so no claims about PCIe lanes or versions can be made. There is no integrated graphics; the chip relies on a discrete GPU or a server board's onboard display controller. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date is 2006-06-25. The market segment is Server/Workstation. The upgrade path is constrained by the Socket 771 platform: any replacement would also need to be a Socket 771 part, but the dataset lists no specific compatible processors. In practical terms, the Xeon 5148 is a legacy component for maintaining existing servers, not a foundation for a new build.