Celeron Processor

INTRODUCTION 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.

Intel® Celeron® M processors on 90nm process technology are available in both standard and ultra-low-voltage versions, providing a range of performance, value and power options for a variety of thermally sensitive embedded and communications applications. These processors offer ideal solutions for small-to-medium business and enterprise communications applications, storage appliances, and embedded devices like point-of-sale kiosks and ATMs. In addition, they are softwarecompatible with previous members of the Intel® microprocessor family. The new Intel® Celeron® processor delivers a balanced level of proven technology and exceptional value for desktop PCs. Based on a new energyefficient microarchitecture, this Celeron processor enables smaller, quieter, and more capable desktop PCs. .

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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. The earliest Celerons from 266MHz up through 400MHz were produced in a SEPP design that physically looked like a circuit board and that was designed to fit into Slot 1. This is the same slot the Pentium II used, meaning the Celeron SEPP plugged into any Pentium II Slot-1 motherboard. As the Celeron continued to develop, the form factor was changed to correspond with changes in the Pentium II-, III-, and 4-class processors from which it was adapted. Starting with the 300A processor (300MHz Celeron with 128KB of on-die Level 2 cache), Celerons were produced in a PPGA package using the Socket 370 interface. This socket, with differences in voltage, was later used for most versions of the Pentium III. Celerons using Socket 370 range in speed from 300MHz all the way up to 1.4GHz. Along the way, the packaging changed from PPGA to FC-PGA and FC-PGA2. The latter added a metal heat spreader on top of the die offering better protection for the fragile die. 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 Highlights of the Celeron include the following: 

Available at 300MHz (300A) and higher core frequencies with 128KB ondie L2 cache; 300MHz and 266MHz core frequencies without L2 cache

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L2 cache supports up to 4GB RAM address range and ECC

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Uses same P6 core processor as the Pentium II (266MHz through 533MHz), the Pentium III (533A MHz and higher), and the Pentium 4 (1.7GHz and higher)

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Dynamic execution microarchitecture

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Operates on a 66MHz, 100MHz, 400MHz, or 533MHz CPU bus depending on the version

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Specifically designed for lower-cost value PC systems

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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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More cost-effective packaging technology, including SEP, PPGA, and FCPGA or FC-PGA2 packages

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Integrated L1 and L2 cache on most models, with amount and type depending on the version; typically, the Celeron has half the L2 cache of the processor core it is patterned after

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Integrated thermal diode for temperature monitoring

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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.

Desktop Celeron (SEPP) Intel Celeron 266 266 MHz No L2 cache Single Edge Processor package (slot 1)

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) Intel Celeron 366 - FV80524RX366128 (FV524RX366 128) 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).

The core had only 128 KB of level 2 cache, but smaller cache size was partially compensated by faster cache speed - it was running twice as fast as the Pentium II level 2 cache. The Mendocino core didn't require external cache chips, therefore it could fit on smaller and cheaper Plastic Pin Grid Array (PPGA) package. To work with the Celeron PPGA package Intel designed new 370-pin socket - socket 370, or PGA370.

Coppermine Desktop Celeron (370-pin FCPGA)

Intel Celeron 950 - RB80526RY950128 (BX80526F950128) Second generation of socket 370-compatible Celeron processors was based on Coppermine core. Like the Mendocino core, the Coppermine core had level 2 cache integrated on the die. The size of level 2 cache didn't change from older PPGA Celerons - it was 128 KB, or half the size of L2 cache of Pentium III Coppermine processors. The cache itself was improved - it featured 256-bit wide path to the cache and had lower latency than the cache of PPGA processors. Another enhancement in Coppermine Celerons was addition of SSE instructions, which could significantly boost processor performance in SSE-enabled applications. Core voltage of the Coppermine processors was reduced from 2.0 Volt to 1.5 - 1.75 Volt, which resulted in lower power consumption and cooler running processors.

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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.

Tualatin Desktop Celeron (370-pin FCPGA2) Intel Celeron 1400 - RK80530RY017256 (BX80530F1400256) 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. The package of these processors was modified. It still used Flip-Chip packaging technology, where the processor die was mounted upside down on the top of the plastic package, but on Tualatin Celerons the die was covered by integrated heatsink. Like the Pentium III Tualatin CPUs, the Celerons used new bus interface, and, though the Celerons could fit into older socket 370 motherboards, the processors couldn't work in them. It was still possible to use special Tualatin socket 370 adapters to run Tualatin Celeron processors in old motherboards.

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Desktop Celeron Willamette Intel Celeron 1600 - RK80531RC025128 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.

These Celeron processors were produced using 0.18 micron technology and had the same voltage as Pentium 4 Willamette processors. Level 2 cache size on the Celeron microprocessors was twice smaller than on Pentium 4, which resulted in about 10% lower performance of Celeron processors. Smaller L2 cache was the only difference of these CPUs from Pentium 4 processors with the same core.

Desktop Celeron Northwood Intel Celeron 2100 - RK80532RC045128 (BX80532RC2100B) The next generation of Celeron-branded microprocessors was based on Pentium 4 Northwood core. These Celerons were produced on 0.13 micron technology, and had almost the same microarchitecture as Pentium 4 Northwood microprocessors with a few exceptions. Even though the size of L2 cache was doubled on Pentium 4 Northwood processors, Northwood Celerons had the same 128 KB L2 cache as their predecessors - Willamette Celeron. Front Side Bus frequency of Celeron processors was also unchanged. Celeron microprocessors didn't include Hyper-Threading technology that was present on all Pentium 4 Northwood CPUs with 800 MHz FSB. On a plus side, the Northwood Celerons had lower core voltage than their Willamette processors, as a result Northwood processors ran cooler. The Celeron CPUs were packaged in 478-pin FC-PGA2 package with integrated heatsink, and required socket 478 motherboards.

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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 Mendocino Intel Mobile Celeron 433 - KC80524KX433128 Mobile Celeron microprocessors with Mendocino core share many features with desktop Mendocino CPUs. All Mendocino Celerons are based on P6 microarchitecture, 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. Mobile Celerons have much lower power consumption than desktop Mendocino processors partly due to lower core voltage and partly due to two new power-saving modes - Quick Start and Deep Sleep. The Mobile Mendocino CPUs are packaged into 615-pin micro-PGA or 615-ball BGA packages - these packages are much smaller than 370-pin PPGA package of desktop microprocessors.

Mobile Celeron Module Intel Mobile Celeron 400 MMC-1 PMH40001001ES 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

Mobile Celeron Coppermine-T Mobile Coppermine-T microprocessors combine features from two different Celeron cores: Coppermine and Tutalatin. Like Coppermine processors, the Coppermine-T CPUs are manufactured using 0.18 micron technology, have the same size and of L1 and L2 caches, similar CPU features, and approximately the same core voltage and power consumption. Unlike the Coppermine core, the Coppermine-T core uses newer low-power AGTL system bus, and can work in motherboards designed for Tualatin processors. Bus frequency of Coppermine-T Celerons was increased from 100 MHz to 133 MHz, and two low-power modes Stop Grant and Sleep - were removed. The Coppermine-T processors were packaged in 478-pin micro-FCPGA and 479-ball micro-FCBGA packages, that is the same packages as mobile Tualation CPUs.

Mobile Celeron Northwood Intel Mobile Celeron 2 GHz RH80532NC041256

2 GHz 400 MHz FSB 256 KB L2 cache 478-pin micro-FCPGA

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LIST OF FUTURE INTEL CELERON MICROPROCESSORS The Celeron is a family of microprocessors from Intel targeted at the low-end consumer market. CPUs in the Celeron brand have used designs from sixth- to eight-generation CPU microarchitectures.

Dual-Core Desktop processors Celeron

"Allendale" (standard-voltage, 65 nm)    

Based on Intel Core microarchitecture All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, Intel 64 (Intel's x8664 implementation), XD bit (an NX bit implementation) Stepping: M0 Die size: 107 mm²

Dual-Core Mobile processors Celeron "Penryn" (low-voltage, 45 nm)     

Based on Intel Core microarchitecture All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, Intel 64 (Intel's x8664 implementation), XD bit (an NX bit implementation) Package size: 22mm squared Stepping: M0 Die size: TBA

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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. 2.Walker, Seth (1998-08-24). "New Intel Pentium II and Celeron Processors Complete 1998 Desktop Processor Line-up", Business Wire. Retrieved on 200707-17. 3. Pabst, Thomas (1998-04-16). "CPU Performance from Socket 7 to Slot 1", Tom's Hardware Guide. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. 4. Slater, Michael (1998-05-27). "Microprocessors have PCs humming", EE Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. 5. Zisman, Alex (June 1998). "Say No to Celeron". Canadian Computer Wholesaler. 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. 7. Joch, Alan (2001-04-30). "Buses: Front-side and backside", ITworld.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. 8 .Hachman, Mark (2000-03-29). "Intel launches Celerons with SIMD instructionset extensions", My-ESM. Retrieved on 2007-07-31. 9 .Lal Shimpi, Anand (2001-01-03). "Intel Celeron 800: The first 100 MHz FSB Celeron", AnandTech. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. 10. Sigvartsen, Ana (2001-10-02). Infosatellite.com. Retrieved on

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Celeron

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