Intel Pentium 4 2.80 socket: Socket 478

What the Pentium 4 2.80 is

The Intel Pentium 4 2.80 is a 2.80 GHz single-core desktop processor from August 2002. It runs one NetBurst Northwood core at 2.80 GHz with no Hyper-Threading on this rating, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 512 KB of L2 on a 130 nm process. Power is rated at 68.4 W in a Socket 478 package. The cpu_list 2.793 GHz and 110 W values differ from the table 2.80 GHz and 68.4 W, and the table values are used here with the cpu_list precision kept in the quick field where it matches clocks.

The 2.80 uses a 533 MT/s front side bus with a 21x multiplier. Intel placed it in August 2002 with the 2.66 and 2.53 models. The chip supports MMX, SSE and SSE2. Celeron 2.80 parts at the same 2.8 GHz offer 128 KB without the fast bus option as a value alternative, so cache and bus separate the lines.

Steady power growth with clocks continues here. The move from 66.1 W on the 2.66 to 68.4 W on the 2.80 needs no cooler change. That is why boards qualified for slower Northwood parts normally accept the 2.80.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Pentium 4 2.80 fits Socket 478 desktops with a 533 MT/s bus and Northwood support. It needs a 478-pin board. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

DDR towers are the natural match. Intel 845PE boards accept the chip with a 68.4 W cooler.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR through the board chipset. The board sets speed and capacity.

A 533 MT/s bus ties the CPU to the chipset, while AGP handles graphics. No PCIe lanes originate on the die. Cooling uses the Socket 478 bracket with a 68.4 W heatsink.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 478 the steps are Pentium 4 HT 2.80 and 3.06 parts with threads. Celeron 2.80 offers value with less cache. Beyond Socket 478 a move to LGA 775 needs a new board. The 2.80 lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.