Intel Xeon 7110N

The Intel Xeon 7110N is a dual-core server processor from the NetBurst-based Tulsa generation, targeting the Server/Workstation market segment. Released in late August 2006, this 65 nm part integrates 1,328 million transistors on a 435 mm² die, positioning it as a high-complexity chip for its era, though it is now designated as End-of-life.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark database records an average benchmark score of 0 for the Intel Xeon 7110N, with a percentile ranking of 50 among all CPUs tracked. This percentile value indicates that the processor sits exactly at the median of the distribution of all recorded CPUs, meaning half of all processors in the database perform better and half perform worse. However, the average score of 0 is a placeholder figure, as the database currently lists no actual benchmark entries for this specific chip.

The absence of nearest rivals in the dataset means there are no direct deltaPct comparisons available to quantify its standing against competing server processors. Without rival scores, the data cannot provide exact percentage deltas such as "30% ahead" or "15% behind" a specific competitor. What the percentile data does reveal is that the 7110N occupies a middle-ground position in the overall performance landscape, which is consistent with its dual-core configuration from the mid-2000s era. The 2.50 GHz base clock, combined with 2 cores and 4 threads, would have placed it in a competitive tier for its time, but the raw benchmark data currently available does not allow for more granular numerical positioning against specific rivals.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Xeon 7110N carries a thermal design power (TDP) rating of 95 watts. This TDP class places the processor in a moderate power envelope for server hardware of its generation. For context, the Tulsa architecture on a 65 nm process node represents a significant die-shrink compared to earlier NetBurst implementations, which typically helped contain power consumption relative to transistor count increases.

The 95 W TDP implies a cooling solution tier appropriate for a single-socket server or workstation configuration with a capable air cooler. In a dense server environment, this power level would typically require a well-ventilated chassis with directed airflow over the heatsink, but it does not demand exotic liquid cooling or specialized thermal management systems. The 1,328 million transistor count on a 435 mm² die, a relatively large physical footprint, means heat density is spread across a substantial surface area, which aids in thermal dissipation. The lack of a boost clock in the specifications suggests the processor runs at a fixed 2.50 GHz, simplifying thermal behavior since there is no dynamic frequency scaling to create transient heat spikes.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Intel Xeon 7110N offers 2 physical cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading technology, a hallmark of the NetBurst architecture. This configuration produces a distinct behavioral split: single-threaded performance is driven entirely by the 2.50 GHz base clock and the efficiency of the NetBurst pipeline, while multi-threaded workloads can leverage the 4 logical processors to improve throughput on parallel tasks.

For real-world server workloads, this split means the processor behaves differently depending on the application type. Legacy single-threaded database transactions or sequential application logic would rely solely on the per-core execution speed, which is modest by modern standards but was competitive in 2006. In contrast, multi-threaded workloads such as web serving, virtual machine hosting, or parallel compilation would benefit from the 4 threads, though the NetBurst architecture's long pipeline and reliance on high clock speeds for performance means the scaling from 2 to 4 threads is not linear.

The cache hierarchy supports this split: 1 MB of L2 cache per core (or shared, depending on implementation) and 4 MB of L3 cache provide a substantial on-die buffer for both single- and multi-threaded operations. The L3 cache, in particular, helps mitigate the memory latency penalties that often plague multi-threaded workloads by keeping shared data closer to the execution units. The data suggests a processor that excels in mixed workloads where some threads are latency-sensitive and others are throughput-oriented, rather than a chip optimized purely for one extreme.

How It Compares

The database currently lists no nearest rivals for the Intel Xeon 7110N, meaning there are no direct comparison points with named competitor processors, their benchmark scores, or the corresponding deltaPct values. This absence of data prevents any numerical positioning against specific alternative server chips from the same generation or market segment.

Without rival entries, the analysis must rely on the broader percentile ranking. The 50th percentile placement indicates that the 7110N sits at the median of all CPUs in the database, which is a meaningful reference point even in the absence of named competitors. A processor at the 50th percentile is neither a top-tier performer nor a low-end part; it represents a typical mid-range offering. In the context of the 2006 server market, this positioning suggests the 7110N would have been a mainstream dual-core option, likely facing competition from other NetBurst-derived Xeons and possibly early Core-based server parts. However, the specific score deltas that would quantify these relationships are not available in the current dataset, so any head-to-head comparison must remain qualitative.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Xeon 7110N uses the Intel Socket 604 interface, a socket design that was standard for dual-processor capable Xeon platforms of the mid-2000s. The architecture is NetBurst with the codename Tulsa, representing the final refinement of this design lineage before Intel transitioned to Core-based server processors. The processor supports DDR2 memory with ECC functionality enabled, which is a critical requirement for server-grade reliability and error correction in memory-intensive workloads.

The platform does not specify a PCIe interface in the data, which suggests the chipset implementation would have provided PCIe lanes through the companion chip rather than through the processor itself, a common arrangement for that era. The memory bus details are not specified, so bandwidth characteristics remain unquantified, but the combination of DDR2 and ECC support indicates a platform aimed at stability and data integrity over raw speed. The 65 nm process node is a notable feature, as it represents Intel's transition to a smaller fabrication process that helped reduce power consumption relative to the earlier 90 nm NetBurst parts.

For upgrade path considerations, the Socket 604 platform was a mature and widely deployed socket, meaning the 7110N could be installed in existing server boards designed for that interface. The processor is multiplier-unlocked, which is a standard characteristic for server chips that do not support overclocking. With a production status of End-of-life and a release date of August 2006, the upgrade path forward from the 7110N would necessarily involve a platform change to a newer socket and architecture, as the NetBurst line was discontinued in favor of subsequent processor families. The part number SL9QA identifies this specific stepping, and the lack of integrated graphics is expected for a server processor where discrete or on-board graphics controllers handle display output.