CELERON Processor
CELERON Processor
With an advanced microarchitecture and core frequency of 2.0 GHz and 2.5 GHz,
the Intel Celeron processor is ideal for scalable Intel performance embedded
computing, including communications, transaction terminal and industrial
automation applications. While incorporating new features and improvements, it
remains software compatible with previous members of the Intel microprocessor
family.
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A BRIEF CELERON HISTORY
The original Celerons were economy versions of the Intel Pentium II processor.
Intel figured that by taking a Pentium II and deleting the separate L2 cache chips
mounted inside the processor cartridge (and also deleting the cosmetic cover), it
could create a "new" processor that was basically just a slower version of the
Pentium II. As such, the first 266MHz and 300MHz Celeron models didn't include
any L2 cache. Unfortunately, this proved to have far too great a crippling effect
on performance, so starting with the 300A versions, the Celeron received 128KB
of on-die full-speed L2 cache, which was actually faster and more advanced than
the 512KB of half-speed cache used in the Pentium II it was based on! In fact,
the Celeron was the first PC processor to receive on-die L2 cache. It wasn't until
the Coppermine version of the Pentium III appeared that on-die L2 cache
migrated to Intel's main processors.
Celeron processors based on the Pentium 4 are produced in one of two package
designs. Some use the FC-PGA2 package that fits into the same Socket 478
used by most Pentium 4 processors. However, the Celeron D is available in both
the Socket 478 package and Socket T (LGA775) package used by the Prescott
core version of the Pentium 4. The Celeron was never produced in the short-lived
Socket 423 form factor the original Pentium 4 processors used.
As this very brief history shows, the name Celeron has never meant anything
more specific than a reduced-performance version of Intel's current mainstream
processor. Before you can decide whether a particular Celeron processor is a
suitable choice, you need to know what its features are and especially on which
processor it is based. At least eight discrete variations of the Celeron processor
exist.
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ABOUT CELERON
Available at 300MHz (300A) and higher core frequencies with 128KB on-
die L2 cache; 300MHz and 266MHz core frequencies without L2 cache
Includes MMX technology; Celeron 533A and higher include SSE; Celeron
1.7GHz and higher include SSE2; Celeron D models include SSE3
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INTEL CELERON PROCESSOR FAMILY
Intel Celeron family is a line of budget x86 processors based on Pentium designs.
Originally based on Intel Pentium II architecture, the Celeron processors
migrated over time to Pentium III and Pentium 4 architectures. Priced lower than
their Pentium
(like dual processing or multiprocessing). The Celerons are also slower than
similar-clocked Pentiums due to smaller L2 cache size and sometimes slower
bus speed. Celeron CPUs are usually packaged the same way as Pentium II/III/4
processors and can be used in motherboards designed for Pentium II/III/4
processors.
Celeron 266 based on Covington core was the first processor from Celeron
series. While this processor had poor performance due to lack of L2 cache, it
was very popular because with its low price and very high overclockability the
CPU had very good price/performance ratio. Many Celerons 266 could be easily
overclocked to 400 MHz by changing bus frequency from 66 MHz to 100 MHz.
Even if the microprocessor wasn't running stable at 400 MHz, it was still possible
to run it at 333 MHz by changing bus frequency to 83 MHz.
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Desktop Celeron (PPGA)
All Intel Celeron processors in PPGA package were based on Mendocino core.
Mendocino was the first Intel x86 core that integrated level 2 cache with the core
(Pentium Pro had level 2 cache on a separate die, and Pentium II processors
used external cache chips).
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New package type of these Celerons,
with processor die exposed on the top
of the chip, also allowed better
processor cooling. Coppermine
Celeron microprocessors required
revised socket 370 - this socket was
mechanically, but not electrically
compatible with PPGA Socket 370,
which made all Copermine CPUs
incompatible with many old Socket 370
motherboards.
The last generation of socket 370 Celeron processors featured Tualatin core with
256 KB level 2 cache, often called as Tualatin-256. Having twice as much cache
as Coppermine Celerons, these microprocessors performed as fast as Pentium
III Copermine processors running at the same Front Side Bus frequency (100
MHz). Besides larger level 2 cache, the Celerons also had lower core voltage
and power consumption.
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Desktop Celeron Willamette
Intel Celeron Willamette processors were the first Celerons based on NetBurst
micro-architecture. Willamette Celeron CPUs featured 400 MHz Front-Side Bus,
long 20-stage pipeline, SSE2 instructions and enhanced branch prediction.
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Desktop Celeron Conroe-L
Celeron 400 series family was the first family of low-cost desktop CPUs based on
Core micro-architecture. The 400 series processors include basic features of the
Core microarchitecture - 64-bit processing, Execute Disable bit, enhanced
branch prediction, support for SSE3 and Supplemental SSE3, quad-pumped
Front-side Bus, and others. As usual for all budget processors, these Celerons
do not include as many features, or have inferior features as compared to
desktop high-performance CPUs. The Celeron 400 series include only single
CPU core, small 512 KB level 2 cache, and they do not have Enhanced
SpeedStep technology.
Mobile Celeron microprocessors with Mendocino core share many features with
desktop Mendocino CPUs. All Mendocino Celerons are based on P6 micro-
architecture, have 32 KB level 1 cache, integrate 128 KB level 2 cache running at
the CPU speed, and, like almost all others P6 CPUs, support MMX instructions.
400 MHz
128 KB L2 cache
MMC-1 package
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Mobile Celeron Coppermine
Intel Mobile Celeron 750
KP80526NY750128
(BXM80526B750128)
750 MHz
128 KB L2 cache
495-pin micro-PGA2
2 GHz
400 MHz FSB
256 KB L2 cache
478-pin micro-FCPGA
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LIST OF FUTURE INTEL CELERON MICROPROCESSORS
Celeron
Celeron
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CONCLUTION
The Celeron was introduced in response to Intel's loss of the low-end market, in
particular to Cyrix's 6x86, AMD's K6, and IDT Winchip. Intel's existing low-end
product, the Pentium MMX, was no longer performance competitive at 233 MHz.
Although a faster Pentium MMX would have been a lower-risk strategy, the
industry standard Socket 7 platform hosted a market of competitor CPUs which
could be drop-in replacements for the Pentium MMX. Instead, Intel pursued a
budget part that was pin-compatible with their high-end Pentium II product, using
the Pentium II's (Slot 1) interface. The Celeron was used in many low end
machines and, in some ways, became the standard for non gaming computers.
Systems based on the Celeron processor are ideal for day-to-day computing,
whether in the home, classroom, or office. The Execute Disable Bit¹, a built-in
security feature, helps protect your programs and files from viruses, worms, and
other malicious attacks. The Celeron processor also includes Intel® 64²
architecture, so you can access larger amounts of memory when used with
appropriate 64-bit supporting hardware and software. A faster Front Side Bus
accelerates access between the processor core and your data for an enhanced
computing experience.
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REFERENCES
1. Schmid, Patrick (2002-10-16). "The New Generation Is Here: Celeron 2.0 GHz,
with 0.13 µm", Tom's Hardware Guide. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
6. Pabst, Thomas (1998-08-24). "Big CPU Shoot Out: Intel Launches New
Celeron with Mendocino Core and Pentium II 450", Tom's Hardware Guide.
Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
9 .Lal Shimpi, Anand (2001-01-03). "Intel Celeron 800: The first 100 MHz FSB
Celeron", AnandTech. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
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