Pentiums DIDN'T need that much cooling. But now they do. Why do you think Intel is pushing the BTX motherboard? To cool the VERY hot Intel CPUs.
See chart below for more accurate (nearly) current information:
Code:
Processor Model Frequency (MHz) Nominal Voltage Typical Thermal Power Maximum Thermal Power
Athlon 1400 (T-bird) 1400 1.75V 65 W 72 W
Athlon XP 3000+ (Barton)2167 1.65V 58.4 W 74.3 W
Athlon 64 3200+ 2000 1.5V +/- 70 W* 89 W
Pentium 4 3.2 GHz 3200 1.55 V 82 W +/- 103 W*
Pentium 4 3.2 GHz EE 3200 1.55 V 81 W +/- 109 W*
Pentium 4 3.2 GHz E 3200 1.3-1.5 V 103 W ?
Pentium 4 3 GHz E 3000 1.3 V 89 W ?
Note that the P4 3.2ghz E and the 3.0ghz E do not list maximimum thermal power as Intel no longer tells what it is. So at present AMD is the cool runner not Intel.
Something to note is that the E version is the newer Prescott core made at 90nm, which if the core had not been revised would have lowered the wattage. The performance did not increase compared to the older Northwood core (the EE is a Northwood core and cooler), in some tests it is slower. Even the northwood core is hotter than the Athlon 64.
When the Athlon 64 goes to 90nm it should cool down at a given speed.
I couldn't find wattage for the Pentium 4 3.4 ghz E or the just released Athlon 64 3800+. I expect the Pentium 4 to be even hotter but the Athlon 64 may be cooler (lower cache=fewer transisters and less heat, but higher memory bandwith in the 939 pin socket).