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Intel© Pentium© III Processor and Intel© 840 Performance Brief
October 1999
Order Number: 245321-001
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: THE INTEL© PENTIUM© III PROCESSOR AND INTEL© 840
The Intel© Pentium© III processor is Intel's most advanced and powerful processor for desktop PCs, offering several new features for maximum performance, productivity, and manageability. With all the power needed for the next generation of Internet-enabled software, Pentium III processors will continue to deliver an exceptional experience for PC users well into the future.
The Pentium III processor at 667MHz and 733MHz enables high performance through microarchitectural enhancements-including the Advanced Transfer Cache and Advanced System Buffering-which provide a powerful combination to meet the higher data bandwidth needs for today's and tomorrow's computing environment. The Advanced Transfer Cache (ATC) consists of microarchitectural enhancements to provide a higher data bandwidth interface into the processor core that is completely scaleable with the processor core frequency. Features of the ATC include: a non-blocking, full-speed, on-die Level 2 cache; 8-way associativity; 256-bit data bus to the Level 2 cache; and, a reduced latency interface to cache data (as compared to discrete caches). The Advanced System Buffering increases the utilization of the available bandwidth on the 100 and 133 MHz system bus by its optimized system bus buffer sizes and bus queue entries.
The Intel Pentium III processor provides excellent performance for all PC software and is fully compatible with existing Intel Architecture-based software. The Pentium III processor takes desktop performance into the future by offering headroom for business, media, communications, and Internet applications. Software designed for the Pentium III processor unleashes its full multimedia capabilities, including full-screen and full-motion video, realistic graphics, and an enhanced, exciting Internet experience.
Figure 1. The Spectrum of Performance
Systems based on Pentium III processors also include the latest features to simplify system management and lower the total cost of ownership for large and small business environments. The Pentium III processor offers great performance for today's and tomorrow's applications, as well as the quality, reliability, and compatibility you have come to expect from the world's leading microprocessor company.
Modern desktop systems are used to run a broad range of software applications. Multimedia, 3D, and Internet application use has increased sharply over the past few years, and this trend is anticipated to continue in the future. For this reason, a wide range of benchmarks should be used to evaluate processor and system performance. PC users and buyers should consider the entire Spectrum of Performance, which includes productivity, multimedia, 3D, and Internet performance.
When a Pentium III processor is used in conjunction with an Intel© 840 chipset, the resulting platform provides the highest level of performance for today's and tomorrow's most demanding high-volume server applications, as well as data-rich workstation and desktop applications. The 840 chipset offers outstanding scalability-with support for multiple Pentium III processors, an optional 64-bit PCI controller hub, and optional RDRAM and SDRAM-based repeater hubs for a large memory capacity.
The Intel 840 chipset takes advantage of the 800-series accelerated hub architecture, and adds an advanced memory controller hub to provide unsurpassed graphics, memory, and I/O throughput. The 840 chipset features a 133 MHz system bus for balanced support of Intel's fastest processors, and offers best-in-class concurrency, manageability, and security features. A platform built on one or more Pentium III processors combined with the Intel 840 chipset is an excellent choice for mission-critical, compute-intensive engineering and e-business applications.
This Performance Brief introduces the Pentium III processor and Intel 840 chipset, explains the technologies that make them work, examines the purpose and methods behind the industry's most useful benchmarks, and shows how the Pentium III processor running on the Intel 840 chipset currently performs on each benchmark across the Spectrum of Performance. As new benchmarks are introduced, this performance brief will be updated appropriately.
INTRODUCTION
The Pentium III processor provides exceptional power for high-performance desktops and entry-level servers and workstations. It offers speed, compatibility, and reliability for today's productivity, multimedia, 3D, and Internet applications on today's operating systems. In addition, new multitasking, manageability, security, and architectural enhancements make the Pentium III processor the perfect choice for businesses preparing to enter the emerging Personal Enterprise Computing environment.
When a Pentium III processor is used in conjunction with an Intel© 840 chipset, the resulting platform provides the highest level of performance for today's and tomorrow's most demanding high-volume server applications, as well as data-rich workstation and desktop applications. The 840 chipset offers outstanding scalability-with support for multiple Pentium III processors, an optional 64-bit PCI controller hub, and optional RDRAM and SDRAM-based repeater hubs for enormous memory capacity.
The Intel 840 chipset takes advantage of the 800-series accelerated hub architecture, and adds an advanced memory controller hub to provide unsurpassed graphics, memory, and I/O throughput. The 840 chipset features a 133 MHz system bus for balanced support of Intel's fastest processors, graphics support for AGP 2X or 4X for up to 1GB/s graphics bandwidth, multiple PCI segments for high-performance I/O, dual memory channels for up to 3.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, a prefetch cache for maximum system concurrency and performance, dual USB ports, and a random number generator for use with advanced security products.
This brief provides performance results for the following Intel Pentium III processors while using an Intel 840 chipset and running a variety of benchmarks:
Pentium III processor 667MHz
Pentium III processor 733MHz
When evaluating the performance of a microprocessor or system, it is important to obtain the complete performance picture. Today's PC user runs a broad spectrum of productivity, 3D, multimedia, and Internet software:
Productivity software includes applications such as word processing, presentation, and personal finance programs.
Multimedia software includes audio, video, imaging, and creativity applications.
3D software includes gaming, modeling, and simulation applications.
Internet applications include Internet browsers, as well as 3D and multimedia Web content.
A processor and system should deliver the highest performance across the entire Spectrum of Performance: Productivity, Multimedia, 3D, and Internet.
This report provides benchmark results for the Intel Pentium III processor family. Modern, industry-standard benchmarks were chosen to demonstrate capabilities across the Spectrum of Performance:
Productivity performance can be measured using processor-level productivity benchmarks such as SPECint95 and system-level benchmarks such as BAPCO's SYSmark* 98.
Multimedia performance can be compared with Futuremark's* MultimediaMark* 99 benchmark.
3D performance can be measured with the 3D Winbench* 99-3D Lighting and Transformation Test, 3DMark* 99 MAX-Synthetic CPU 3D Speed Test from Futuremark, as well as floating-point benchmarks such as Ziff-Davis' WinBench* 99-FPU WinMark*.
Java aspects of the Internet experience can be measured by the Ziff-Davis* Jmark* 2.0 processor test.
Intel is committed to using the most robust and relevant benchmarks in characterizing the performance of its products, and will adapt this mix over time as newer benchmarks are introduced into the PC market.
System performance does not depend on the microprocessor alone. Hardware and software system components-such as the operating system, the graphics and I/0 subsystems, application software, and memory-may significantly affect benchmark results. For this reason, this Performance Brief illustrates Pentium III processor performance on a consistent system configuration. Details of the system configuration used for the benchmarks throughout this brief can be found in Appendix A.
SPECTRUM OF PERFORMANCE
When evaluating the performance of a microprocessor or system, it is important to obtain the complete performance picture. A processor and system should deliver high performance across the entire Spectrum of Performance: Productivity, Multimedia, 3D, and Internet.
Figure 2. The Spectrum of Performance
Productivity Benchmarks
Productivity software includes applications such as word processing presentation, and personal finance. Popular, industry-standard productivity benchmarks include:
Processor Level Benchmarks: System Level Benchmarks:
CPUmark* 99
Wintune* 98 Advanced CPU Integer Test
SPECint*95
SYSmark 98
High End Winstone* 99
Business Winstone* 99
Multimedia Benchmarks
Multimedia benchmarks are designed specifically to represent the activities of end users working with video, audio, and imaging technologies such as MPEG1, Dolby* Digital Sound, AVI, PC imaging, and video conferencing. A benchmark that falls under this category is:
MultimediaMark 99
3D Benchmarks/Floating Point Benchmarks
The most common type of 3D application today is 3D games. Benchmarks that measure processor, 3D, and floating-point performance include:
3D Winbench 99?3D Lighting and Transformation Test
Futuremark 3DMark 99 MAX?Synthetic CPU 3D Speed Test
WinBench 99?FPU WinMark
SPECfp*95
Internet Technology Benchmarks
Internet applications are evolving at a tremendous rate and include browser, 3D, and multimedia technologies. In attempting to evaluate processor Internet performance, PC users should consult the productivity, 3D, and multimedia benchmarks listed above. Additionally, some Java Internet technology benchmarks are:
Processor Level Benchmarks: System Level Benchmarks:
JMark 2.0 Processor Test
SYSmark* J
Evolving and Future Benchmarks
Benchmarks evolve as a direct response to the development of new technologies and the need to evaluate them objectively. As hardware and software technologies evolve, benchmarks must also evolve to capture new capabilities accurately.
The Pentium III processor represents a major step in the evolution of computing potential. Currently available benchmarks show considerable gains across the Spectrum of Performance. Since applications that take full advantage of the Pentium III processor are in development, many of the existing benchmarks do not fully test the processor's new capabilities.
Currently, the 3D Winbench* 99?3D Lighting and Transformation Test, the 3DMark* 99 MAX?Synthetic CPU 3D Speed Test, and the MultimediaMark*99 benchmark take advantage of the capabilities of the Pentium III processor. As existing benchmarks are updated to support the new capabilities, and as new benchmarks are introduced, Intel will update this Performance Brief.
THE INTEL PENTIUM III PROCESSOR
The Intel Pentium III processor offers new levels of performance and productivity for today's most demanding applications and operating systems. It incorporates advanced features to take full advantage of the Wired for Management enterprise architecture and the Personal Enterprise Computing environment that will drive business productivity to new heights in the new century.
The Pentium III processor introduces Streaming SIMD Extensions that include 70 new instructions for dramatically faster processing and improved output on existing and next-generation applications across the entire Spectrum of Performance-including advanced imaging, 3D streaming audio and video, Web access, speech recognition, new user interfaces, and other cutting-edge applications.
Based on Intel's advanced 0.18 micron process, the processor core contains approximately 28.1 million transistors. The Pentium III processor at 667MHz and 733MHz enables high performance through microarchitectural enhancements-including the Advanced Transfer Cache (ATC), and Advanced System Buffering-which provide a powerful combination to meet the higher data bandwidth needs for today's computing environment. The Advanced Transfer Cache consists of microarchitecural enhancements to provide a higher data bandwidth interface into the processor core that is completely scaleable with the processor core frequency. Features of the ATC include: a non-blocking, full-speed, on-die Level 2 cache; 8-way associativity; 256-bit data bus to the Level 2 cache; and, a reduced latency interface to cache data (as compared to discrete caches). The Advanced System Buffering increases the utilization of the available bandwidth on the 100 and 133 MHz system bus by its optimized system bus buffer sizes and bus queue entries (4 writeback buffers, 6 fill buffers, and 8 bus queue entries).
The Pentium III processor provides memory cacheability for up to 4GB of addressable memory space and scalability to dual-processing systems with up to 64GB of physical memory. A self-reportable processor serial number gives security, authentication, and system management applications a powerful new tool for identifying individual systems.
These two Pentium III processors are available in Intel's Single Edge Contact Cartridge 2 (S.E.C.C.2) form factor for high-volume availability, improved handling protection, and compatibility with the high-performance processors and platforms of the future. Compliance with Intel Architecture design principles and manufacturing techniques also ensures compatibility with existing systems, enabling a short qualification cycle and maximizing return on investment.
The Pentium III processor is backed by over 25 years of Intel experience in manufacturing high-quality, reliable microprocessors.
INTEL PENTIUM III PROCESSOR PRODUCT FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
The Pentium III processor is fully compatible with an entire library of PC software based on operating systems such as MS-DOS*, Windows* 3.1, Windows for Workgroups* 3.11, Windows* 98, Windows* 95, OS/2*, UnixWare*, SCO UNIX*, Windows* NT, OPENSTEP*, and Sun Solaris*. Architectural features of the Pentium III processor include:
Streaming SIMD Extensions:
The Streaming SIMD Extensions consist of 70 new instructions, including single instruction multiple data floating-point, additional SIMD integer, and cacheability control instructions. Some of the technologies that benefit from the Streaming SIMD Extensions include advanced imaging, 3D, streaming audio and video, and speech recognition applications. Benefits include:
Higher resolution and higher quality image viewing and manipulation
High quality audio, MPEG2* video, and simultaneous MPEG2 encoding and decoding
Reduced CPU utilization for speech recognition, as well as higher accuracy and faster response times
256KB, Level 2 Advanced Transfer Cache for Pentium III processors at 667 and 733MHz:
The Advanced Transfer Cache (ATC) consists of microarchitectural improvements to provide a higher data bandwidth interface between the level 2 cache and the processor core that is completely scaleable with the processor core frequency. Features of the ATC include:
Non-Blocking, full speed, on-die Level 2 cache
8-way set associativity
256 bit data bus to the level 2 cache
Reduced latency interface to cache data (as compared to discrete caches)
Advanced System Buffering for Pentium III processors at 667 and 733MHz:
The Advanced System Buffering consists of optimizations in the system bus buffer sizes and bus queue entries that result in an increase in the utilization of the available bandwidth on the 100 and 133 MHz system bus:
4 writeback buffers
6 fill buffers
8 bus queue entries
Intel Processor Serial Number:
The processor serial number, the first of Intel's planned building blocks for PC security, serves as an electronic serial number for the processor and, by extension, its system or user, enabling the system/user to be identified by networks and applications. The processor serial number will be used in applications that benefit from stronger forms of system and user identification, such as the following:
Applications using security capabilities: Managed access to new Internet content and services; electronic document exchange
Manageability applications: Asset management; remote system load and configuration
Intel MMX? Media Enhancement Technology:
Intel MMX technology is designed as a set of 57 basic, general-purpose integer instructions and four data types that are easily applied to the needs of a wide range of multimedia and communications applications. Highlights of the technology include:
Single Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) technique
Eight 64-bit wide MMX technology registers
Dynamic Execution Technology:
Multiple branch prediction: Predicts program execution through several branches, thereby accelerating the flow of work to the processor
Dataflow analysis: Creates an optimized, reordered schedule of instructions by analyzing data dependencies between instructions
Speculative execution: Carries out instructions speculatively and, based on this optimized schedule, ensures that the processor's superscalar execution units remain busy, thereby boosting overall performance
Testing and Performance Monitoring Features:
Built-in Self Test (BIST) provides single stuck-at fault coverage of the microcode and large logic arrays, as well as testing of the instruction cache, data cache, Translation Lookaside Buffers (TLBs), and ROMs.
IEEE 1149.1 Standard Test Access Port and Boundary Scan mechanism enables testing of the Pentium III processor and system connections through a standard interface.
Internal performance counters can be used for performance monitoring and event counting.
Incorporates an on-die diode that can be used to monitor the die temperature. A thermal sensor located on the motherboard can monitor the die temperature of the Pentium III processor for thermal management purposes.
ú Other significant features of the Pentium III processor at 667MHz and 733MHz include:
S.E.C.C.2 packaging, developed by Intel, enables high-volume availability, improved handling protection, and a common form factor for compatibility with future high-performance processors.
High-performance Dual Independent Bus (DIB) architecture (system bus and cache bus) provides high bandwidth, performance, and scalability with future system technologies.
The system bus supports multiple outstanding transactions to increase bandwidth availability. It also provides "glueless" support for up to two processors. This enables low-cost, two-way symmetric multiprocessing, providing a significant performance boost for multitasking operating systems and multithreaded applications.
The processor supports memory cacheability for up to 4 GB of addressable memory space.
The processor is available with Error Correction Code (ECC) functionality on the level-two cache bus for applications where data intensity and reliability are essential.
A pipelined Floating-Point Unit (FPU) supports the 32-bit and 64-bit formats specified in IEEE standard 754 as well as an 80-bit format.
Parity-protected address/request and response system bus signals with a retry mechanism ensure high data integrity and reliability.
INTEL© 840 CHIPSET PRODUCT FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
The new Intel 840 chipset has been designed to meet the needs of high-performance single- or multiple-processor desktops, servers, and workstations. Combined with the Pentium© III processor, the platform provides new levels of performance, scalability, and end-user productivity.
The 840 chipset makes the most of the modular design of Intel's 800 family of chipsets. It takes advantage of Intel's new accelerated hub architecture to meet today's and tomorrow's demands for I/O speed, real-time responsiveness, greater platform bandwidth, and security in a connected world. The 840 chipset also includes an 82840 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) that goes beyond the other 800-series chipsets to provide unsurpassed graphics, memory, and I/O throughput. The result is outstanding performance for design applications, Internet hosting, constant-computing activities, and other data-rich, high-volume applications.
Other innovations and advantages of the Intel 840 chipset include:
133 MHz system bus for balanced support of the latest Pentium III processors
Accelerated hub architecture for full-speed, balanced performance
Graphics support for AGP 2X or 4X, providing up to 1GB/s graphics bandwidth for the highest graphics performance available on Intel Architecture platforms
Multiple PCI segments for high-performance I/O
Dual memory channels for up to 3.2GB/s RDRAM or SDRAM memory bandwidth
Prefetch cache for maximum system concurrency and performance when executing simultaneous processes
Random number generator for use with advanced security products
Two USB ports for plug-and-play peripheral connections
Optional 64-bit PCI controller hub that supports 64-bit PCI slots at speeds of either 33 or 66 MHz, providing up to 800MB/s I/O bus bandwidth for fast drive access and high-speed networks
Optional RDRAM-based repeater hub for extended RDRAM memory capacity and system scalability
Optional SDRAM-based repeater hub that supports PC100 for high memory capacity using SDRAM
Offering Intel's highest level of chipset performance, multiprocessing support, and optional components for scalability, the Intel 840 chipset has everything businesses need for today's most demanding application and hosting needs, with performance headroom and expandability for tomorrow.
* Legal Information ¸ 1999 Intel Corporation |
