Processor Types and Specifications - Upgrading and Repairing PCs - page 95

Intel revealed the Pentium II in May 1997. Prior to its official unveiling, the Pentium II processor was
popularly referred to by its code name, Klamath, and was surrounded by much speculation throughout
the industry. The Pentium II is essentially the same sixth-generation processor as the Pentium Pro,
with MMX technology added (which included double the L1 cache and 57 new MMX instructions);
however, there are a few twists to the design. The Pentium II processor die is shown in Figure 3.28 .
Figure 3.28. Pentium II Processor die. Photograph used by permission of Intel Corporation.
From a physical standpoint, it was a big departure from previous processors. Abandoning the chip in
a socket approach used by virtually all processors up until this point, the Pentium II chip is
characterized by its SEC cartridge (SECC) design. The processor, along with several L2 cache chips,
is mounted on a small circuit board (much like an oversized-memory SIMM), as shown in Figure
3.29 , and the circuit board is then sealed in a metal and plastic cartridge. The cartridge is then
plugged into the motherboard through an edge connector called Slot 1, which looks much like an
adapter card slot.