![]() This cache design also required new package for the processor. Was too expensive to be used on mainstream CPU, so Pentium II came up with 512 kB of external cache running at half of the CPU speed. There were several changes compared to Pentium Pro - doubled L1 cache 8 + 8 kB to 16 + 16 kB, improved 16-bit code execution and addition of MMX instruction set. Three variants existed - 233, 266 and 300 MHz. In early May 1997 the Pentium II was introduced. Of 679 mm 2 was extreme for the time and matches the biggest today server processors like Nehalem-EX or Haswell-EP (these are monolithic however).Ī year after Pentium MMX, the P6 architecture got into desktop mainstream computers. It took another 6 years for regular desktop to beat this (Athlon 64 FX - 105 million transistors, year 2003). The most impressive was transistor count at 67.5 million. In 1997 it was record-breaking processor in all aspects. Was designed to use CPU die and cache die, the new 1 MB Pentium Pro however required three silicon dies in total (1x CPU + 2x cache). Because of this new configuration Intel had to use new package - plastic with aluminum heat spreader. The cache consisted of two 512 kB SRAM dies. ![]() It operated at 200 MHz just like older variants, but featuredġ MB of L2 cache. Later in the end of 1997 Intel launched the fastest and last Pentium Pro. Most Pentium Pro models were introduced in November 1995. Still, for top hi-end product it was acceptable. High price, low yields and high power consumption. The main disadvantage of this concept was With this approach the cache ran at full speed. Both of them were located in single ceramic package (Dual Cavity PGA). So, Intel was forced to use MCM design - CPU core as one silicon dieĪnd L2 cache as a second. This solution was inadequate for performance level of Pentium Pro. (usually 50 - 66 MHz for Pentium and 33 - 40 for 486). 486 and Pentium utilized external cache located on the motherboard running at FSB speed Classic Pentium supported 2-way SMP, Pentium Pro was ready for 4-way SMP and with special boards even 8-way.Īt the time it wasn't possible to make CPU with large L2 cache as one silicon die. Memory addressing (PAE) and also cache was greatly improved. ![]() Pentium Pro supported Out-of-Order instruction execution, 36-bit Compared to classic Pentium, the design was completely different. Pentium Pro was developed for server and workstation use. Intel Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, Celeron (P6 architecture) Pentium Pro Pentium MMX was the first processor to use split rail voltage - the core used 2.8V and I/O part remained at 3.3V.ġ66 and 200 MHz variants were introduced in January 1997, 233 MHz Pentium MMX appeared in mid-1997 and it was the last Intel socket 7 CPU. P55C also featured new MMX instruction set to improve performance in multimedia applications. The first one was doubled L1 cache - 16 kB data + 16 kB instruction cache. There were several improvements compared to the P54CS. Pentium MMX (code name P55C) became the last evolution of the P5 architecture. Socket 5 CPUs could be used in socket 7 boards and vice versa, however older socket 5 boards might not support higher multipliers. 200 MHz Pentium was the last classic P54-based Pentium.Īll P54C Pentiums used 296-pin socket 5 and P54CS used socket 7. The first P54CS model started at 133 MHz in mid-1995, later 150, 166 and 200 MHz variants were sold. On 350nm technology die size decreased to 83 mm 2, which significantly reduced Later the manufacturing technology was improved once again and the final revision of Pentium emerged - P54CS. It was produced on new 600nm process, this allowed Intel to lower voltage to 3.3V and decrease die size to almost half. One year later improved Pentium P54C was launched. Interesting fact is the Socket 4 Pentium was the last processor without multiplier - core speed and bus speed was the same. Suffered from the famous FDIV bug, which caused errors in some calculations. Pentium existed in two variants - 60 and 66 MHz. To compare it to the common CPU of the time -Ĥ86DX2 was made using the same 800nm process, but took only 81 mm 2 and 1.2 million transistors. The first Pentium had transistor count of 3.1 million, was manufactured using 800nm technology with a die size od 294 mm 2. ![]() For that time it was very advanced and complex processor - the first one featuring superscalar architecture. Intel introduced the first Pentium at the beginning of 1993.
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