Intel Xeon MP 7030 Dual-Core

Intel Xeon MP 7030 Dual-Core is a server and workstation processor from Intel’s Paxville generation, built on the NetBurst architecture and the 90 nm process node. It occupies the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database, placing it squarely in the middle of the performance spectrum. The processor is end-of-life, having been released on November 30, 2005, and its benchmark data indicates a dual-core, dual-thread configuration with a base clock of 2.83 GHz.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for this processor, meaning there are no direct comparative scores or deltaPct values available from adjacent benchmark entries. In the absence of rival data, the assessment relies on the processor’s absolute characteristics: its 50th percentile ranking suggests it performs at the median level of all recorded CPUs. This is a modest position for a server-class part, reflecting its dual-core design from an era when multi-core scaling was still nascent. The lack of rival comparisons means the Xeon MP 7030 cannot be positioned against specific competitors, but its percentile score alone indicates it is neither a top-tier performer nor a bottom-tier outlier. Its 2.83 GHz base clock, combined with 1 MB of L2 cache, defines a processing profile that is serviceable for its intended era but unremarkable by contemporary standards. Without nearestRivals data, any claims about relative performance advantages or deficits must be constrained to the percentile metric, which shows a median standing.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Xeon MP 7030 Dual-Core carries a thermal design power (TDP) of 135 watts. This TDP class places the processor in a range that requires a robust cooling solution, typical for server and workstation platforms of the mid-2000s. A 135 W TDP implies the need for a heatsink and fan assembly capable of dissipating that level of heat, which generally means an active cooling solution with a substantial fin stack and a high-static-pressure fan. For a dual-core NetBurst chip fabricated on a 90 nm process with 200 million transistors on a 213 mm² die, the 135 W figure reflects the architecture’s known thermal characteristics — NetBurst was not power-efficient by modern standards. The processor does not include integrated graphics, so the TDP is entirely attributable to the CPU cores and cache. In a server chassis, this TDP would necessitate adequate airflow through the system to maintain operational temperatures, and in a workstation environment, a capable air cooler with a larger heatsink would be the minimum recommendation. The data does not provide operating temperature ranges or cooling tier specifics beyond the TDP class, but 135 W is a clear signal that passive cooling is insufficient and that the platform’s thermal design must account for sustained heat output.

Who Should Consider It

Benchmark results indicate that the Intel Xeon MP 7030 Dual-Core is suited for workloads that do not demand high thread counts, given its 2 cores and 2 threads. For single-threaded or lightly threaded server tasks — such as basic database queries, simple file serving, or legacy application hosting — the 2.83 GHz base clock provides a reasonable level of responsiveness. The processor’s 1 MB L2 cache and dual-channel memory bus support ECC memory, making it viable for reliability-sensitive office or server environments where data integrity is a priority. For gaming, the processor is not a suitable choice; its server-oriented architecture, lack of integrated graphics, and dual-core limitation would severely bottleneck modern game engines that expect four or more threads. Creation workloads, such as video editing or 3D rendering, are also poor fits because these tasks scale with core count, and the Xeon MP 7030’s two threads would struggle against even entry-level multi-core processors. The median percentile score reinforces this: it is a middle-of-the-road part that best serves legacy server deployments or as a drop-in replacement for aging dual-core systems in the same socket class. Office productivity, including document editing and spreadsheet work, would be adequate for basic tasks, but the processor’s age and lack of modern instruction set extensions would limit performance on contemporary software.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Xeon MP 7030 Dual-Core?

A: The processor has 2 cores and 2 threads, meaning it does not support simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Does the Xeon MP 7030 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed as true, which is standard for its server and workstation market segment.

Q: What socket does the Intel Xeon MP 7030 use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 604, which is the platform interface for this Paxville-generation processor.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor, and what does that imply?

A: The TDP is 135 watts, indicating a need for an active cooling solution with a substantial heatsink; passive cooling would be inadequate.

Q: What is the manufacturing process and transistor count?

A: It is fabricated on a 90 nm process with 200 million transistors, with a die size of 213 mm².

Q: Is the processor still in production?

A: No, it is end-of-life, and its release date was November 30, 2005.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Intel Xeon MP 7030 Dual-Core shows an average benchmark score of 0, which is a nominal placeholder rather than a measured performance figure. The percentile vs. all CPUs is 50, indicating that the processor sits at the exact median of the database’s recorded CPUs. This percentile is a relative measure — half of all CPUs in the database score higher, and half score lower. Because the nearestRivals array is empty, there are no deltaPct values to interpret, and no direct percentage comparisons to specific rival processors can be made. In the absence of rival scores, the 50th percentile must be read as a neutral positioning: the Xeon MP 7030 is neither a high-performance outlier nor a low-end laggard. Its 2.83 GHz base clock, with no boost clock listed, indicates a fixed operating frequency, which limits its ability to accelerate under transient loads. The dual-channel memory bus, paired with ECC support, suggests that memory bandwidth is not a bottleneck for the processor’s core count, but the lack of L3 cache (null value) means the 1 MB L2 cache is the sole cache tier beyond the 16 KB L1. For a server processor of its era, the 50th percentile ranking is consistent with a dual-core NetBurst design that would have been outpaced by later quad-core parts and even by contemporary dual-core competitors with higher clock speeds or larger caches. The data cannot support claims of being ahead of or behind any specific rival, so the performance assessment remains anchored to the percentile alone.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Xeon MP 7030 Dual-Core is built for the Intel Socket 604 platform, a socket designed for multi-processor server configurations. The memory support field is null in the FACT PACK, but the memory bus is specified as dual-channel, and ECC memory is supported, which is a critical feature for server reliability. PCIe support is not listed, meaning the processor’s expansion interface details are unavailable from the data; however, the lack of integrated graphics confirms that a discrete GPU or server graphics controller is required for display output. The processor uses the NetBurst architecture with the Paxville codename, which places it in the Xeon MP (Paxville MP) generation. The 90 nm process node and 200 million transistors on a 213 mm² die define the physical and electrical characteristics of the chip. The production status is end-of-life, so new units are not available, and the upgrade path is limited to other Socket 604 processors from the same generation. The memory bus being dual-channel implies that two memory channels are available for bandwidth, which, combined with ECC support, makes the platform suitable for error-correcting memory configurations in servers. The lack of a listed boost clock means the processor runs at a fixed 2.83 GHz, and the multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking. For upgrade considerations, any replacement would need to be a Socket 604 part, and given the end-of-life status, the practical path is to source used or refurbished components from the same Paxville family. The platform’s server orientation is reinforced by the market segment designation of Server/Workstation, and the dual-core design with a 135 W TDP indicates a power envelope that requires a server-grade power delivery system, though specific wattage figures beyond the TDP are not provided.