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The Xeon series of Pentium processors is the server and workstation variant of the Intel line. Most models can be overclocked using techniques similar to the ones that work with their desktop cousins, though motherboard manufacturers do not always support the options required for success. Xeon parts are designed for maximum stability and reliability, which minimizes the need for multiplier or bus manipulation beyond the standard autodetect routines.
All Pentium II and many Pentium III Xeon chips are based on Intel's Slot 2 processor-to-motherboard interconnect. The comparative advantages of the Slot 2 Xeon over the Slot 1 desktop offerings include better support for multiple processor configurations and the presence of massive Level 2 caches for increased symmetric multiprocessing performance. Most Slot 2 motherboards are designed to accommodate only the Intel retail heatsink cooler; problems can be caused by the introduction of aftermarket cooling solutions. Some Slot 1 coolers can be used, as long as modifications are made so that components mounted near the motherboard-to-processor interface can clear properly.
Later Pentium III Xeon chips adopted the 370-pin FCPGA socket interface for compatibility across the widest range of motherboard designs. In single- or dual-processor systems, these chips exhibit the same overclocking characteristics as the standard Pentium III Coppermine. Demand for Pentium III Xeons in the desktop sector is minimal. The majority of PC users are not willing to pay more to obtain the extended reliability and stability these chips can offer.
The Pentium 4 Xeon is Intel's current flagship ×86 processor, though its high price, combined with the need to pair it with a costly motherboard design, does little to attract the overclocking crowd. Symmetric multithreading (SMT), recently added in 2+-GHz models, allows the P4 Xeon to emulate a dual-core processor, thus maximizing performance in multithreaded operating systems like Windows XP Professional. Even so, overclocking potential is generally considered to be limited, due to Intel's rigorous design specifications for its i860 motherboard chipset. Such specifications ensure maximum reliability for critical applications, but also limit flexibility for enthusiasts.
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