Latest revision as of 15:22, 17 April 2025

Intel Pentium
Past and current logos
Developer	Intel
Manufacturer	Intel
Type	microprocessors
Introduction	September, 1992 (announced) May, 1993 (launch)
Architecture	32-bit superscalar implementation of IA-32 with SIMD
ISA	IA-32
Word size	32 bit 4 octets 8 nibbles
Process	800 nm 0.8 μm 8.0e-4 mm , 600 nm 0.6 μm 6.0e-4 mm , 350 nm 0.35 μm 3.5e-4 mm , 250 nm 0.25 μm 2.5e-4 mm , 180 nm 0.18 μm 1.8e-4 mm , 130 nm 0.13 μm 1.3e-4 mm , 90 nm 0.09 μm 9.0e-5 mm , 65 nm 0.065 μm 6.5e-5 mm , 45 nm 0.045 μm 4.5e-5 mm , 32 nm 0.032 μm 3.2e-5 mm , 22 nm 0.022 μm 2.2e-5 mm , 14 nm 0.014 μm 1.4e-5 mm
Technology	CMOS
Clock	60 MHz-3.73 GHz
Socket	Socket 4, Socket 5, Socket 7, Socket 8, Socket 479, Socket 478, Socket 370, Socket M, Socket P, Socket T, Slot 1, MMC-1, MMC-2, Mini-Cartridge, PPGA-B615
Succession
←
80486

Pentium is an extended family of x86 microprocessors developed by Intel since 1992. Pentium served as Intel mid-to-high end line of processors until the introduction of the Core family in 2006. Current Pentium processors are considered entry-level processors or second-tier, below the higher-end Core line, but above the low-end Celeron family. Pentium is Intel's longest serving family of processors.

History[edit]

Following Intel's previous microprocessor series (86, 286, 386, and 486), this family was set to become the 586. In an attempt to weed out the competition who were selling Intel-compatible clones, Intel filed to trademark the 586. Unfortunately, the generic numbering of the series caused its registration to be denied. In pursue after a fitting brand name they could trademark, Lexicon Branding suggested they consider a name ending in "-ium". The -ium suffix connoted something scientific in nature (e.g. an element on the periodic table). Their research also indicated pent- connoted strength and power (e.g. Pentagon). pent- is also similar to penta- meaning 5, denoting 5th generation x86. The "Pentium" trademark was filed on July 2, 1992.

Pentium served as Intel's mid-to-high end family of processors well into the 2000s. When the Core family was introduced in 2006, Pentium was bumped down to entry level processors and consequently also bumped down Celeron to low-end processors. Pentium is still presently a line of entry-level processors. In 2014 Intel released the Pentium 20th Anniversary Edition commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Pentium family.

Timeline[edit]

Below is the timeline based on introductory date. Frequency represents the maximum frequency offered.

Intel Pentium Processors Family[edit]

In 2022, Intel announced that the Pentium and Celeron brands were to be replaced with the new "Intel Processor" branding for low-end processors from 2023 onwards.

This applied to desktops using Pentium and Celeron processors as well, and both brands were discontinued in 2023 in favor of "Intel Processor" branded processors.