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The Intel Pentium III 933 MHz is a 2000-era x86 desktop processor specified with a 133 MHz system bus and 256 KB of Advanced Transfer Cache. Intel documented 933 MHz versions in both FC-PGA and SECC2 packages, so “Pentium III 933” alone does not tell you whether a particular chip fits Socket 370 or Slot 1 hardware. Check the processor’s package and markings, plus the motherboard’s bus and chipset support, before buying.
Intel Pentium III 933 MHz specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor family | Intel Pentium III |
| Clock speed | 933 MHz |
| System bus | 133 MHz |
| Cache | 256 KB Advanced Transfer Cache |
| Documented packages | FC-PGA and SECC2; package determines the physical installation interface |
Intel announced the 933 MHz Pentium III on May 24, 2000, and said it was immediately available in systems and as a single-unit boxed processor through Intel dealers and resellers. The socketed PGA370 datasheet gives the specifications and installation details for the FC-PGA version. Intel’s 2000 announcement and the PGA370 datasheet are the primary references.
Is the 933 MHz Pentium III Socket 370 or Slot 1?
It can be either, depending on the package. Intel documented the 933 MHz launch product in FC-PGA and SECC2 forms. FC-PGA is the pin-grid-array package associated with PGA370/Socket 370 boards; SECC2 is a cartridge package for Slot 1 hardware. The packages are physically different and are not interchangeable without the correct motherboard interface.
Do not rely only on a seller’s title or the stated clock speed. Request a clear photo of the processor and its markings, and compare them with the board’s socket or slot and the relevant Intel documentation. Exact sSpec and stepping can affect electrical requirements and compatibility.
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- Intel Pentium III 933 MHz 133 MHz 256 KB Socket 370 CPU General Features: Intel Pentium III CPU
- 933 MHz Speed Socket 370 Flip Chip Plastic Pin Array (FC-PGA) Design 256 KB L2 Cache
- 133 MHz Front End Bus Speed
What motherboard and cooler work with it?
Motherboard checks
- For a socketed FC-PGA chip, confirm the board has PGA370/Socket 370 and explicitly supports the Pentium III at 933 MHz.
- Verify support for the 133 MHz system bus. A Socket 370 socket by itself does not guarantee the required bus or chipset support.
- Check the motherboard maker’s supported-processor list and BIOS requirements where available. Match the processor’s printed sSpec and stepping to the board documentation when possible.
- For an SECC2 version, use a compatible Slot 1 motherboard rather than a Socket 370 board.
Cooling
A PGA370 installation needs a compatible Socket 370 heatsink and fan. Check the cooler’s socket fit and clip style against the motherboard and processor assembly; do not assume every Socket 370 cooler mounts identically. Follow the board and cooler instructions for attachment and thermal interface material. An SECC2 cartridge has a different physical form, so verify the cooling solution is intended for that package.
Historical launch benchmarks and price
Intel’s May 2000 announcement reported CPUmark99 81.8, SPECint2000 394, and SPECfp2000 276 for the 933 MHz processor. These are historical results reported by Intel at launch, not directly useful modern comparisons or evidence of performance in a current workload. Intel also listed a launch price of $744 in quantities of 1,000 units; that was a 2000 bulk price, not a present-day used-market value. Intel’s announcement contains those figures.
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- S-SPEC CODES: SL4C9 SL52Q SL44J SL49J SL4ME SL5DW SL5U3
Buying a Pentium III 933 MHz today
No current marketplace stock or price is established here. Treat listings as used vintage-computing hardware and compare the actual package, markings, condition, and included accessories rather than choosing by clock speed alone.
- Ask for photos showing the chip’s full markings and package, not just a stock image.
- Confirm whether it is FC-PGA/Socket 370 or SECC2/Slot 1, then match that to the motherboard.
- Verify 133 MHz bus and chipset support, and check sSpec or stepping requirements against the board documentation.
- Ask whether the CPU has been tested, what system it was tested in, and whether a heatsink/fan is included. A claim of “tested” without a described setup does not establish compatibility with your board.
- For Socket 370 parts, make sure you can obtain a cooler with the correct fit and clip arrangement.
When comparing it with another legacy processor, use package/socket, bus support, cache, voltage and stepping requirements, cooler fit, and tested condition. Intel’s launch benchmarks should not be used to estimate modern performance.
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- Processor Base Frequency: 866 MHz // Number of Cores: 1
- L2 Cache: 256 KB
- FSB Speed: 133 MHz
- TDP: 26.1 W // VID Voltage Range: 1.75V
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