Intel Pentium III Xeon 900 5V-12V socket: Slot 2
The Intel Pentium III Xeon 900 5V-12V uses the Slot 2 slot. It is a 36 W single-core Cascades-2M server part at 900 MHz with 2 MB of full-speed L2 cache for Slot 2 boards with 5V-12V regulation.
- Socket
- Slot 2
- Launched
- March 21, 2001
- Cores and threads
- 1 and 1
- Base power
- 36 W
- Codename
- Cascades-2M
- Segment
- Server
- Family
- Intel Pentium III Xeon
- Clocks
- 0.9 GHz
Intel Pentium III Xeon 900 5V-12V specifications
| Cores | 1 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 1 |
| Core architecture | Cascades-2M (P6) |
| Clocks | 900 MHz base, no turbo |
| Cache | 32 KB L1, 2 MB full-speed ECC L2 |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 36 W |
| Manufacturing process | 180 nm |
| Memory support | Registered ECC SDRAM through the server chipset |
| Front side bus | 100 MT/s |
| Package | Slot 2 (SECC cartridge, 330 contacts) |
| Multiplier | Locked (9x) |
| Integrated graphics | None |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Pentium III Xeon 900 5V-12V needs a motherboard with a Slot 2 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the Slot 2 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
Slot 2 at a glance
| Type | Slot, 330 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | April 1998 |
| Memory | Registered SDRAM through the board chipset |
| Cooler mounting holes | Cartridge and retention cage |
What the Pentium III Xeon 900 5V-12V is
The Intel Pentium III Xeon 900 5V-12V is a 900 MHz single-core server processor from March 2001. It runs one P6 Cascades core at 900 MHz with no Hyper-Threading, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 2 MB of full-speed ECC L2 with 32 KB of L1 on a 180 nm process. Power is rated at 36 W in a Slot 2 SECC cartridge on a 100 MT/s front side bus with a 9x multiplier on the 5V-12V regulator path.
The 5V-12V regulator path suits boards wired for higher input rails, which is why Intel shipped the same 900 MHz 2 MB silicon in two electrical strings. The 2.8V string feeds the core directly while the 5V-12V string leans on board regulation. Intel launched both variants on March 21, 2001. The chip supports MMX, SSE and four-way SMP.
Matching clocks and cache with a different power path suit Slot 2 servers stocked for 5V-12V cartridges. The SECC thermal plate and retention cage carry the 36 W envelope. That is why the 5V-12V string shipped in server lines with that regulator design.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 900 5V-12V fits Slot 2 servers wired for 5V-12V Xeon regulation. It needs a 330-lead SC330 board with a 100 MT/s bus and a BIOS that lists the 5V-12V Xeon 900. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.
5V-12V rack servers are the natural match. Boards listing the 5V-12V string accept the cartridge with a 36 W heatsink. Boards built only for the 2.8 V string refuse it despite matching clocks.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory is registered ECC SDRAM through the server chipset, matched to the board DIMM sockets. The cartridge has no memory controller. Server boards commonly run ECC pairs with chipkill paths for Xeon pairs.
A 100 MT/s front side bus ties each cartridge to the chipset, while PCI-X hangs off the chipset. No PCIe lanes originate on the cartridge. Cooling uses SECC heatsinks on the retention cage with server airflow.
Upgrade paths
On the same slot, a move to a Pentium III Xeon 900 2.8V such as Intel Pentium III Xeon 900 2.8V keeps clocks and cache while changing regulator path when the board stocks the other variant. A Xeon 800 5V-12V on the same list drops 100 MHz with less cache.
A move to Foster Xeon needs Socket 603. The Slot 2 page lists the server range for planning.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Pentium III Xeon 900 5V-12V use?
Slot 2 in a SECC cartridge with 330 contacts. It is a 36 W Cascades-2M server part at 900 MHz with 2 MB of cache in the 5V-12V regulator variant.
What memory does the 900 5V-12V use?
Registered ECC SDRAM through the server chipset.
What is the upgrade path from the 900 5V-12V?
A 900 2.8V on boards wired for that regulator. A move to Foster Xeon needs Socket 603.
Sources and verification
- List of Intel Xeon processors P6-based Cascades 900 2MB (Wikipedia)
- Intel Pentium III Xeon 900 2.8V specs family ref (TechPowerUp)
- Slot 2 SC330 330-lead (Wikipedia)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .