Sorting out the P3's

Packaging

With the release of Coppermine, Intel adopted a second packaging option for the processor. In addition to the traditional Slot 1 Single Edge Contact Cartridge 2, (S.E.C.C.2) Intel added the Flip-Chip Pin Grid Array (FC-PGA) package.

In contrast to the Plastic Pin Grid Array (P.P.G.A.) packaging used on the Celeron, FC-PGA shifts the processor die from the bottom of the package to the top, resulting in better cooling to the die as it is in direct contact with the heatsink itself. The newer flip-chip package is also smaller than PPGA. Like PPGA Celerons, FC-PGA Coppermines feature a 370-pin package, making them physically compatible with conventional Socket 370 motherboards. Keep in mind that your Socket 370 motherboard must have an FC-PGA compatible interface to work with an FC-PGA Coppermine; many motherboard manufacturers are now releasing FC-PGA compatible Socket 370 motherboards.

As another upgrade option Powerleap just recently announced their PPGA to FC-PGA adapter for use on older Socket 370 motherboards.

Letter Designations

As stated earlier, conventional Pentium III processors using the Katmai core range in clock speeds from 450 to 600MHz. In September of last year, Intel released Katmai Pentium III processors that ran on a 133MHz bus. Other than the faster bus speed these processors are the same as conventional 100MHz Katmai Pentium IIIs.

To denote the new bus speed, these processors are given the letter designation "B." Only two clock speeds of this Katmai variant are available, 533B and 600B MHz.

Pentium III processors with the more advanced Coppermine core are given the letter designation "E" to signify the 256KB of L2 cache embedded in the processor core. These E models are designed to operate at a bus speed of 100MHz. (Although as we'll prove later in this article, they can run at bus speeds well in excess of 100MHz.) E models are currently available in clock speeds of 500E, 550E, 600E, 650, 700, 750, 800, and 850MHz in both S.E.C.C. 2 and FC-PGA packaging.

Coppermine Pentium III processors designed to operate on a 133MHz front side bus are given the letter designation "EB." These processors are available in both FC-PGA and S.E.C.C. 2 packaging and range in clock speeds of 533EB, 600EB, 667, 733, 800EB, 866, and 1.0GHz. Currently, the 1.0GHz model is solely available in S.E.C.C. 2 packaging and will initially only be available in complete systems. Intel plans to begin volume shipments of the processor during the third quarter of this year.