Original Document

Intel Delivers Fastest Pentium® II Processor

333 MHz Pentium® II Processor Enables High-Performance Visual Computing for Businesses and Consumers

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 26, 1998 – Intel Corporation today introduced the 333 MHz Pentium® II processor, delivering the highest performance Intel processor for desktop computers, as well as high-volume servers and workstations. The 333 MHz Pentium II processor delivers increased headroom, providing business and consumer users alike with the fastest performing platform for visual computing.

The new 333 MHz processor is also the first Pentium II processor built on Intel’s advanced 0.25 micron process technology, which will enable high-volume manufacturing and higher processor speeds in 1998.

With today’s Internet, large and small businesses, as well as consumers, are able to download and manipulate images and data-intensive content that rely heavily on processor performance. Graphics- and 3-D-intensive applications in gaming, interactive DVD and video imaging also benefit from the balanced performance of the Pentium II processor.

"The power of Pentium II processor-based systems is driving the adoption of visual computing for both businesses and consumers," said Mike Fister, vice president, Intel Microprocessor Products Group. "As businesses move to new opportunities in electronic commerce, they are looking for the performance engine to drive image and data-rich applications. Consumers will also benefit from the increased processor performance in the home for gaming, educational applications and entertainment."

Product Features, Price and Availability

The 333 MHz Pentium II processor contains all of the same performance-enhancing features as the current Pentium II processors, including: Dual Independent Bus architecture, Dynamic Execution, Intel MMX™ technology and a closely coupled 512KB Level 2 (L2) cache bus running at half the speed of the processor (for the 333 MHz processor, the L2 cache bus runs at 166.5MHz).

The Pentium II processor, with 7.5 million transistors, is now offered at 333, 300, 266 and 233MHz speeds. In 1,000-unit quantities, the 333 MHz Pentium II processor costs $722 and is available today in computer systems from more than a dozen leading computer manufacturers. Single- and dual-processor servers and workstations will also be available. For servers and workstations, a version of the 333 MHz Pentium II processor that supports more main memory than today’s Pentium II processor systems will also be available later this quarter. This feature further increases performance for server and workstation applications that require more memory.

The 333 MHz Pentium II processor offers Intel’s highest performance on all three elements of performance: floating point, integer and multimedia. On standard office productivity applications, the 333 MHz Pentium II processor delivers up to a 10 percent** increase in performance over a 300 MHz Pentium II processor. The 333 MHz Pentium II processor has a SPECint_peak95 rating of 12.8; a SPECfp_peak95 rating of 9.14; and a Norton Multimedia Benchmark rating of 28.8. The iCOMP® Index 2.0 rating is 366.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking and communications products. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

© 1998 Intel Corporation