Intel Pentium 4 HT 3.2E socket: Socket 478

What the Pentium 4 HT 3.2E is

The Intel Pentium 4 HT 3.2E is a 3.2 GHz single-core desktop processor with Hyper-Threading from February 2004. It runs one NetBurst Prescott core at 3.2 GHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 2 threads. Cache is 1 MB of L2 on a 90 nm process. Power is rated at 103 W in a Socket 478 package with part numbers RK80546PG0881M. The cpu_list 115 W value differs from the table 103 W, and the table value is used here.

The 3.2E uses an 800 MT/s front side bus with a 16x multiplier at 1.25 V to 1.40 V. Intel sold it at 278 dollars in February 2004. The chip supports MMX, SSE, SSE2 and SSE3 with Hyper-Threading. Later E0 and G1 steppings improve power against early C0 parts at the same clocks. An LGA 775 540 at the same 3.2 GHz shares frequency with a land grid package, so socket separates the boards.

Higher power marks the step from 3.0E to 3.2E. The move from 89 W to 103 W needs a stronger heatsink and better case airflow, even though the socket stays flat. That is why boards qualified for 89 W Prescott parts need a thermal check before fitting the 103 W 3.2E.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Pentium 4 HT 3.2E fits Socket 478 desktops with DDR memory, an 800 MT/s bus and Prescott HT support at 103 W. It needs a 478-pin board with 103 W power delivery. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Performance DDR towers with 800 MT/s chipsets are the natural match. Intel 875 boards accept the chip with a 103 W cooler on the Socket 478 bracket. Boards limited to 89 W Prescott parts need a power check. LGA 775 540 parts need land grid boards instead.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR through the board chipset. The board sets speed and capacity.

An 800 MT/s bus ties the CPU to the chipset, while AGP handles graphics. No PCIe lanes originate on the die. Cooling uses the Socket 478 bracket with a 103 W heatsink and strong airflow. Fresh paste matters at higher power.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 478 the step is the Pentium 4 HT 3.4E at 3.4 GHz with the same cache. Northwood HT 3.2 parts offer a 512 KB alternative at lower power. Beyond Socket 478 a move to LGA 775 needs a new board. The 3.2E lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.