The Pentium II processor is one version of the sixth generation of Pentium Pro microprocessors released by Intel. Originally, it came out in 1997 and ran emulated 16-bit applications a little faster than the generally unpopular Pentium Pro. It could also run 32-bit applications natively. This processor was generally speaking an improvement on previous generations and more well-featured than other versions.
Technipages Explains Pentium II
The Pentium II was built using 6th generation microarchitecture of the P6 type. It was one of the x86 compatible processors and was essentially an improved version of the Pentium Pro. The next year, Intel released a series of processors for low-end machines that were built on the architecture of the Pentium II. This new series was called Celeron – along with it, Intel released a second series of processors intended for higher-end machines and servers, the Pentium II Xeon line. The differences between them were largely in price and performance.
With maximum CPU clock rates of around 450 Hz, these processors were leagues behind current architecture, but the several different series that were released were relatively successful. These included both mobile and desktop processors – the desktop series were called Klamath and Deschutes, while the mobile ones were called Tonga and Dixon. Production for all Pentium II processors halted by the end of 1999, when they were replaced with newer and better generations. The Pentium II family was succeeded by the Pentium III processors.
Common Uses of Pentium II
- Dixon was one of the most successful Pentium II models.
- Pentium II-based processors were used in a variety of devices.
- After the Pentium Pro, the Pentium II was a huge improvement in terms of abilities.
Common Misuses of Pentium II
- Pentium II was a 2Ghz processor, thus the name.