i'm looking at my old computer (which currently has a 400mhz Pentium2), this computer's motherboard can also support Celeron processors. Are celeron processors worth getting? Thanks

For the same speed, PII CPU is better. Al

agree with a1.

Hold up there. Celeron was first designed as a CHEAP equivalent of the Pentium II - they removed the cache and it had only a small amount of on-chip cache. Then, later, they added the cache back on and it turned out to be FASTER.

Depends on what you want to do with it. Due to its architecture, the Celeron is highly overclockable (I don't recommend this because overclocking voids the warranty and requires additional cooling, etc.), its not quite as good at floating point calcs as its Pentium counterparts, its bus speed is limited to only 66 on the older models and 100 on the newer ones, slowing memory operations (PCI and AGP operations are limited to 33 and 66 respectively anyway). It has only half of the L2 cache of an equal speed Pentium, but it is integrated cache that runs at the core speed making its cache faster than the old Pentium II and early model Pentium III's L2 cache which only run at half the core speed. The higher speed Celerons (566 and above) have the SIMD extensions (SSE) for increased sound, video and 3D performance missing from the earlier models. They also use the .18 micron process technology of the PIII (in fact they are a PIII with half of the L2 cache disabled) this allows them to operate at higher speeds using less power than a Celeron 400. If your motherboard supports a 566 Celeron or higher (this requires a 8.5 multiplier many boards are limited to 8x) this is a pretty decent CPU for the money especially if you can't get a PIII running at least at 500 or 550 on your motherboard. But I agree with the above posts that if you can't upgrade the speed of the processor and would be stuck at a Celeron 400, stick with the PII. Here is a good review and explanation of the Celeron family of CPUs: http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/reviews/cpu/celeron_600/ Hope this answers your question.

thanks

Intel currently has three types of CPUs available: Celeron Most affordable chip Slowest chip in Intel's line (but not by much) The bus speeds are slowest (but not by much) Aimed at the entry-level and basic user. Pentium III Considered the "workhouse" CPU More expensive that the Celeron (but not by much) Faster than Celeron Faster bus speeds Aimed at experienced and demanding users Pentium 4 Intel's top chip Most expensive Fastest For users who push their processing power to the limits.