The Celeron brand name has been used by Intel since 1998 to denote its low-cost processors, which are marketed as an alternative to their more expensive Pentium processors. Today's dual-core Celeron is a very fast and inexpensive product that can be an excellent and inexpensive upgrade for older systems. Learning how this product compares to the Pentium can help you decide whether the Celeron is the right processor for your needs.
Specifications
The Celeron E3300 and the Pentium E6500, both released in August 2009, are the fastest current processors from their respective brands. Both are based on the Intel Wolfdale processor core, meaning that their architecture is similar. If the processors had the same clock speed, cache, and bus speeds, they should produce the same results in benchmarks. These are the areas where they differ, however. The Celeron E3300 is clocked at 2.5 GHz, has 1 MB of cache and runs on an 800 MHz system bus. The Pentium E6500 is clocked at 2.93 GHz, has 2 MB of cache and runs on a 1066 MHz bus. Both are dual-core processors.
Compatibility
Both the Celeron E3300 and Pentium E6500 are compatible with LGA 775 motherboards. As long as your LGA 775-based motherboard supports the required 800 MHz or 1066 MHz bus speed required by the processor of your choice, you can select either for an upgrade.
Price
The Celeron E3300 is less expensive than the Pentium E6500, at $64 and $95, respectively. If price is a serious consideration for you, the E3300 is one of the least expensive Intel processors currently available.
Performance
Using the popular game Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. as an example, the Pentium E6500 provides approximately 67 percent faster performance. In Crysis, the Pentium E6500 is only about 6 percent faster, however. Check for benchmarks featuring your favorite game or productivity software before purchasing either processor to determine whether its performance is acceptable.
Overclocking
Because the Celeron E3300 is such a cool-running processor, many specimens should be able to overclock easily by simply configuring your system for the same 1066 MHz bus speed used by the Pentium E6500. This will increase the speed of the E3300 from 2.5 GHz to 3.3 GHz, making it extremely competitive with the E6500 at a far lower price. Note that you should never attempt to overclock a component without care. Overclocking should only be attempted with a thorough knowledge of computer hardware, as doing so can reduce the life of the hardware.
Tags: Pentium E6500, Celeron E3300, 1066 speed, cache runs, Celeron E3300 Pentium, clocked cache