Intel Pentium 1403 V2 socket: LGA 1356

What the Pentium 1403 V2 is

The Pentium 1403 V2 is a higher clocked Ivy Bridge-EN dual core for single socket servers on LGA 1356. Intel set two cores and two threads at 2.6 GHz with 6 MB of cache. Power is 80 W on 22 nm from January 2014. No turbo and no Hyper-Threading keep response fixed for infrastructure roles.

At 2.6 GHz single threaded server tasks run briskly for a dual core of its year. DNS, DHCP and file heads respond well with ECC memory and SSDs. The 6 MB cache helps small databases that fit on chip. Two threads bound parallel guests, so virtual hosts should look at Xeon instead. It is a server socket for operators who want simple speed with memory protection.

No integrated graphics exist, so boards provide BMC display for setup. DDR3-800 to 1600 with ECC over three channels feeds the socket with up to 384 GB on capable boards. The mix suits edge servers where clocks matter more than thread count.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 1403 V2 fits LGA 1356 on C600 series boards for single socket use. Boards need v2 firmware with Ivy Bridge-EN microcode. Check the vendor CPU table for the minimum BIOS, since Sandy Bridge-EN boards predate this stepping. Desktop LGA sockets never accept server EN parts.

DDR3 ECC RDIMMs populate three channels. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide is desktop focused, so use server manuals for slot maps. Cooling is board specific with vendor heatsinks for 80 W and front to back airflow.

A Xeon on the same socket adds threads where the board power allows. Confirm memory and thermal limits before moving from 80 W Pentium to higher Xeon.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR3-800 to 1600 with ECC over three channels to 384 GB is the memory spec. Three matched DIMMs unlock full bandwidth at up to 38.4 GB/s. Balance channels for guest fairness. Speed steps down with DIMM count per manual.

PCIe 3.0 with 24 lanes per socket in x4, x8 and x16 splits serves NICs and HBAs. One QPI link supports dual socket use on capable boards, though this Pentium targets single socket. Lane shares follow the server manual.

Vendor qualified 80 W heatsinks handle 2.6 GHz sustained loads. No retail cooler exists. Inlet air and rack layout decide turbo free sustained clocks at this power.

Upgrade paths

Within the socket the Intel Pentium 1405 V2 at 1.4 GHz is a lower power twin for dense cold nodes. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 with six cores and 12 threads is the thread step for virtualization on similar boards. Both share LGA 1356 mounting and DDR3 ECC.

A bigger server platform means larger sockets. The 1403 V2 covers single socket LGA 1356 hosts where 2.6 GHz dual cores are enough.