Intel Xeon E5503

The Intel Xeon E5503 is a dual-core server processor from the Nehalem generation, released on March 15, 2010. It runs at a fixed 2000 MHz clock with no boost capability, and its 80W TDP places it in the low-power segment of the Xeon lineup. The database lists no benchmark scores for this CPU, and its average benchmark score is 0; it holds the 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured benchmark results for the Intel Xeon E5503. The `avgBenchmarkScore` field is 0, and the `benchmarks` array is empty. The only performance-related datum is the `percentileVsAllCpus` value of 50, which indicates that this processor sits at the median of the entire CPU database. However, without any actual scores, that percentile is a placeholder rather than a derived ranking. In practical terms, the absence of data means the database offers no quantitative comparison to other CPUs.

What can be inferred from the specifications is limited but concrete. The processor has two cores and two threads, meaning it can handle exactly two concurrent threads. Its base clock is 2000 MHz, and there is no boost clock, so performance is consistent under all loads. The 45 nm Nehalem architecture, with a 731 million transistor count and a 263 mm² die, represents an early generation of Intel's server chips. The cache hierarchy—64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3—provides a moderate amount of on-die storage. For a dual-core part, the shared 4 MB L3 is generous and can help mitigate some latency when both cores access the same data.

Given the lack of benchmark scores, any statement about its relative speed is speculative. The 50th percentile suggests it is neither a high-end nor a low-end part in the database's overall population, but that ranking is not backed by measured performance. Users should treat this CPU as a basic entry-level server processor, adequate for light virtualization or single-threaded administrative tasks, but not for compute-intensive workloads.

How It Compares

The `nearestRivals` array is empty, so the FACT PACK provides no direct competitor names, scores, or delta percentages. Without these data, a quantitative comparison is impossible. In the context of its release period, the Xeon E5503 would have competed with other low-end dual-core server chips, but no specific rival is listed. The absence of rival data means this analysis cannot position the E5503 against any other CPU. The only objective reference is the 50th percentile, which places it at the median of all CPUs in the database, but again, that is not a comparison to a named product.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Xeon E5503 has a TDP of 80W. This is a modest power envelope for a server processor, especially one from the 45 nm generation. An 80W TDP implies that a standard low-profile server cooler or a small tower cooler will suffice; there is no need for a high-end liquid cooling solution or a massive dual-tower air cooler. In a dense server chassis, the 80W figure allows for reasonable airflow and does not strain power delivery systems. The lack of a boost clock means power draw is steady, avoiding the transient spikes seen in turbo-enabled parts. For thermal management, a typical 1U server heatsink designed for 80W-class CPUs will handle this chip without issue. The 45 nm process node and the relatively low transistor count (731 million) contribute to the moderate heat output. Overall, cooling requirements are minimal, making the E5503 suitable for environments where power and thermal budgets are constrained.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Xeon E5503 use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1366.

Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

Q: What is the memory bus configuration?

A: It supports triple-channel DDR3 memory.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads, meaning no hyper-threading.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Q: What is the production status?

A: The processor is end-of-life.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Xeon E5503 is built for the Intel Socket 1366 platform, a socket that also supports other Nehalem-based Xeon processors. It belongs to the Gainestown codename family within the Nehalem architecture. The memory controller is integrated, supporting DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration, with ECC capability. The processor also includes PCIe Gen 2 support, though the exact number of lanes is not specified in the FACT PACK. There is no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU or a server board with onboard video is required for display output.

The platform is designed for servers and workstations, as indicated by the market segment field. With a release date of March 15, 2010, and an end-of-life production status, the E5503 is now obsolete. Upgrading from this CPU would require a new motherboard and likely new memory, as the Socket 1366 platform is no longer produced. The triple-channel memory support means that for optimal performance, memory should be installed in sets of three, but the CPU will also work with two or one DIMMs, albeit at reduced bandwidth. For users with existing Socket 1366 boards, the E5503 could serve as a low-power drop-in, but its dual-core configuration limits its usefulness in modern multi-threaded workloads.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The E5503 is a dual-core processor with no hyper-threading, so it can execute exactly two threads simultaneously. Its base clock is 2000 MHz, and there is no boost clock, so each core runs at a fixed frequency. This means single-thread performance is entirely determined by the 2000 MHz clock and the Nehalem microarchitecture. Nehalem was a capable architecture for its time, but the low clock speed and lack of turbo limit its single-thread throughput. In workloads that rely on a single thread, such as legacy database queries or administrative scripts, the E5503 will feel sluggish compared to modern processors with higher clocks and newer architectures.

Multi-thread performance is similarly constrained. With only two threads, the CPU cannot handle heavily parallel tasks efficiently. For example, a web server handling many concurrent connections would quickly saturate the two threads, leading to bottlenecks. The shared 4 MB L3 cache can help when both cores access the same data, but the overall throughput is limited by the core count. The 80W TDP suggests that this chip was never intended for high-performance computing; it was likely aimed at low-cost, low-power servers handling light workloads. In a multi-threaded benchmark, the E5503 would score poorly against modern quad-core or eight-core parts, but the database does not provide any scores to quantify this. The key takeaway is that this processor is best suited for single-threaded or dual-threaded tasks where its modest clock and dual-core design are sufficient.