# Pentium III

> line of desktop and mobile microprocessors produced by Intel

**Wikidata**: [Q83382](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83382)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentium_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pentium-iii

## Summary
The Pentium III is a line of desktop and mobile microprocessors produced by Intel, released in 1999 as the successor to the Pentium II. It introduced Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) for improved multimedia and 3D graphics performance.

## Key Facts
- Released on February 26, 1999, as Intel's successor to the Pentium II processor family
- Manufactured using 250 nm, 180 nm, and 130 nm lithography processes
- Supported Socket 370 and Slot 1 socket types
- Based on Intel's P6 microarchitecture
- Discontinued on May 18, 2007, after an 8-year production run
- Used the IA-32 instruction set with MMX and Streaming SIMD Extensions
- Single-core processor with clock speeds ranging from 450 MHz to 1.4 GHz
- Developed and manufactured by Intel Corporation, founded July 18, 1968

## FAQs
### Q: What made the Pentium III different from the Pentium II?
A: The Pentium III introduced Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE), which provided new instructions for improved multimedia processing, 3D graphics, and other floating-point intensive applications compared to the Pentium II.

### Q: What socket types did the Pentium III support?
A: The Pentium III supported both Socket 370 (for most desktop versions) and Slot 1 (for some early versions), providing flexibility for different motherboard designs.

### Q: When was the Pentium III discontinued?
A: Intel discontinued the Pentium III on May 18, 2007, marking the end of its 8-year production lifecycle.

## Why It Matters
The Pentium III represented a significant advancement in consumer and business computing during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It brought SSE technology to mainstream processors, enabling better performance in emerging applications like 3D gaming, video editing, and multimedia content creation. The processor helped bridge the gap between basic computing needs and the growing demand for more sophisticated software capabilities. Its long production run and widespread adoption made it a common component in millions of computers worldwide, establishing a foundation for future processor developments and helping to standardize SSE technology across the industry.

## Notable For
- First Intel processor to include Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) for enhanced multimedia performance
- One of Intel's longest-running processor architectures, with production spanning from 1999 to 2007
- Available in both desktop and mobile versions, supporting the growing laptop market
- Used in both consumer and enterprise applications, including the Pentium III Xeon variants
- Represented the final major implementation of Intel's P6 microarchitecture before the NetBurst architecture

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Pentium III processor family was built on Intel's P6 microarchitecture and manufactured using three different process technologies: initially 250 nm, then refined to 180 nm, and finally 130 nm for later models. This evolution in manufacturing allowed for increased clock speeds and improved power efficiency throughout the product's lifecycle.

### Performance Features
The key innovation of the Pentium III was the introduction of Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE), which added 70 new instructions specifically designed for floating-point operations. These instructions significantly improved performance in applications involving 3D graphics, audio processing, video encoding, and other multimedia tasks. The processor also maintained support for MMX technology from previous generations.

### Market Positioning
Intel positioned the Pentium III as a mainstream processor suitable for both desktop and mobile computing. The mobile versions were particularly important as laptop computers gained popularity in the early 2000s. The processor was available in various configurations, including the Pentium III Xeon variants designed for server and workstation applications.

### Manufacturing and Distribution
Produced by Intel Corporation at its semiconductor fabrication facilities, the Pentium III was distributed globally through various channels. The processor's Socket 370 design became particularly popular for its cost-effectiveness and ease of use in system building and upgrades.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013