Intel Xeon 2.0 socket: Socket 604

What the Xeon 2.0 is

The Intel Xeon 2.0 is a 2 GHz single-core server processor with Hyper-Threading from November 2002. It runs one NetBurst Prestonia core at 2 GHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 2 threads. Cache is 512 KB of L2 on a 130 nm process. Power is rated at 58 W in a Socket 604 package with a 533 MT/s front side bus and a 15x multiplier. The cpu_list February 2002 date and 89 W value differ from the table November 2002 and 58 W for the 2.0B, and the table values are used here.

Prestonia B suffix models use Socket 604 with a 533 MT/s bus, which separates the 2.0B covered here from 2.0A Socket 603 parts on a 400 MT/s bus at the same clocks. Intel placed the 2.0B in November 2002 as an entry dual-processor chip. The chip supports MMX, SSE, SSE2 and Hyper-Threading.

Entry dual-processor scope with Hyper-Threading suited workgroup servers. Two 2.0B parts give four threads per chassis with shared memory, which helped threaded server tasks before dual-core designs. That is why Prestonia B parts cost more than Socket 603 A parts at identical frequency.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Xeon 2.0 Prestonia fits Socket 604 dual-processor server boards with DDR memory and Prestonia B BIOS support. It needs a two-socket board with 533 MT/s chipset paths. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Entry two-socket rack servers are the natural match. Boards listing Prestonia B parts accept the chip with 58 W cooling per socket. Socket 603 A parts need 400 MT/s boards instead.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR through the server chipset with registered ECC modules. The CPU has no memory controller, so the chipset sets speed and capacity.

A 533 MT/s front side bus ties the CPUs to the chipset in a shared bus layout, while PCI-X slots hang off the chipset. No PCIe lanes originate on the die. Cooling uses vendor qualified 58 W heatsinks per socket with chassis airflow.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 604 Prestonia steps include the 2.40B and higher clocks where listed. Gallatin DP parts offer L3 cache as an alternative path. Nocona parts on 90 nm offer successors with higher buses. Beyond Socket 604 a move to LGA 771 needs new boards. The 2.0 lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.