Intel Xeon 3.20 socket: Socket 604

What the Xeon 3.20 is

The Intel Xeon 3.20 is a 3.2 GHz single-core server processor with Hyper-Threading from February 2004. It runs one NetBurst Gallatin core at 3.2 GHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 2 threads. Cache is 512 KB of L2 plus 2 MB of L3 on a 130 nm process. Power is rated at 97 W in a Socket 604 package with part numbers RK80532KE0882M.

The 3.20 belongs to the Gallatin Xeon DP line for two-processor servers, using a 533 MT/s front side bus with a 24x multiplier at 1.525 V. It pairs the 2 MB L3 with Hyper-Threading for database threads that share a large working set. The chip supports MMX, SSE, SSE2 and Hyper-Threading. An earlier 3.2 GHz Gallatin DP with 1 MB of L3 from October 2003 offers half the L3 at lower power, so L3 size separates the February 2004 revision. This page covers the 2 MB February 2004 part, since it matches the 2 MB listing.

Large L3 cache with dual-processor scale suited workgroup servers. Two 3.20 parts give four threads with 4 MB of total L3 per chassis, which helped database and application servers with many concurrent clients.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Xeon 3.20 fits Socket 604 dual-processor server boards with DDR memory, a 533 MT/s bus and Gallatin DP BIOS support. It needs a two-socket board with DP power delivery. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Two-socket rack servers with Intel E7500 series chipsets are the natural match. Boards listing Gallatin DP parts accept the 3.20 with matched 97 W cooling per socket. Single-processor desktop boards need Pentium 4 Gallatin parts 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 97 W heatsinks per socket with strong chassis airflow. Both sockets need equal service.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 604 the Gallatin DP steps include higher clocks with 1 MB of L3 where listed, while Nocona DP parts on 90 nm offer 1 MB of L2 with 800 MT/s buses as successors. Xeon MP parts suit four- and eight-socket boards instead. Beyond Socket 604 a move to LGA 771 needs new boards. The 3.20 lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.