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

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

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

1992	Pentium	P5	Socket 4 Socket 5 Socket 7	800 nm 600 nm 350 nm	200 MHz
1995
	Pentium Overdrive		Socket 2 Socket 3 Socket 4 Socket 5 Socket 7	600 nm
	Pentium Pro	P6	Socket 8	600 nm 350 nm	200 MHz
1996	Pentium MMX	P5	Socket 7	350 nm	233 MHz
1997	Pentium OverDrive MMX		Socket 5 Socket 7		200 MHz
	Pentium II	P6	Slot 1 MMC-1 MMC-2 Mini-Cartridge PPGA-B615	350 nm 250 nm	450 MHz
1998	Pentium II Xeon		Slot 2	250 nm
	Pentium II Overdrive		Socket 8		333 MHz
1999	Mobile Pentium II		MMC-1 MMC-2	350 nm 250 nm	400 MHz
	Pentium III		Slot 1 Socket 370 Socket 479	250 nm 130 nm	1400 MHz
	Pentium III Xeon		Slot 2		1000 MHz
	Mobile Pentium III		BGA Socket 495	180 nm
2000	Pentium 4	Netburst	Socket 423	180 nm 65 nm	3800 MHz
2001	Pentium III-M	P6	BGA Socket 479	130 nm	1330 MHz
2003	Pentium 4 Extreme Edition	Netburst	Socket 478 LGA 775	130 nm 90 nm	3730 MHz
	Pentium M	P6	Socket 479		2260 MHz
2005	Pentium D	Netburst	LGA 775	90 nm 65 nm	3730 MHz
	Pentium Extreme Edition
2006	Pentium Dual-Core	Core	LGA 775 Socket M Socket P	65 nm 45 nm	2600 MHz
2009	Pentium		LGA 775	45 nm	2600 MHz