EntropySink

Technical & Scientific => Hardware => Topic started by: A Bit of Fruit on February 13, 2006, 04:21:53 AM

Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: A Bit of Fruit on February 13, 2006, 04:21:53 AM
I got the mini-itx computer working for around 3 hours untill Natalie (my older sister) touched it and it turned to shit again. The solution was the flash the bios after clearing the CMOS settings, but now the CMOS settings wont reset again.

Ive decided to fuck off this mobo/cpu and get a new (regular ATX) case with a new mobo and CPU. I need to choose between a cheap Celeron CPU (around $130AU for 2.8GHz) and like $280AU for a 3.0GHz P4. I dont wanna get an AMD

So i need to decide whether i would be making a mistake getting the Celeron. I checked out the differences (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question268.htm) and i didnt really recognise the things they talked about so maybe it wont affect me. Anybody have any advice?
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: ahluka on February 13, 2006, 04:46:27 AM
I would go with the P4 because I've heard things about the Celeron. Nothing in particular, just "don't buy one" sort of things.

Given the choice of a new processor I'd get an AMD though.
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: ober on February 13, 2006, 08:12:10 AM
Depends on what you use it for.  If you game, there's no question.  Avoid the celeron like the plague.  If you just use it for word-processing and web stuff, stick with the Celeron.  They're cooler (physically) and don't require as much power.

That said, there's nothing wrong with AMD.
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: Perspective on February 13, 2006, 11:26:37 AM
Celerons are pentium chips that don't clock high enough. Intel will produce a sheet of 3.0Ghz pentiums for example, if 5% of those chips don't run properly at 3.0Ghz, they'll run them at 2.6Ghz and call it a celeron.

There's something scary about buying a reject, but ober's advise is good. If its just for simple, non cpu-intensive things, a celeron is ok.
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: ober on February 13, 2006, 01:06:15 PM
Umm... where exactly did you hear that Perspective?  AFAIK, they have a completely different architecture.  They're not simple rejects.  If they were rejects, I don't think you'd find consistentency in their clock speeds at all.
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: Perspective on February 13, 2006, 01:34:08 PM
I'm not sure where i heard that, its just something ive always thought. The celeron and pentium are the same architecture (they even use the same CPU core) though they have different cache sizes and FSBs. Maybe its just urban legend, dunno.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question268.htm
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: Steve on February 13, 2006, 10:23:44 PM
as a general rule intel/celeron = lame/gay/evil

i'm am amd guy, but steer away from celerons
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: [stealth] on February 13, 2006, 10:51:31 PM
Go AMD.  No, just kidding.  Celeron's aren't that bad, they're basically just a budget-line processor.  Most games require AMD's or P4's, so as ober said, unless it's just a file/print server, or y'know, for surfing pr0n, if you have the money, go for a P4.
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: Steve on February 13, 2006, 11:43:23 PM
some porn would cripple a celeron
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: [stealth] on February 14, 2006, 12:54:04 AM
you're not thinking of celery are you?
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: Steve on February 14, 2006, 12:55:28 AM
no, i just watch some really good porn
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: A Bit of Fruit on February 14, 2006, 07:17:06 AM
maybe i should get an AMD...which would be a good match to the P4?
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: ober on February 14, 2006, 08:16:47 AM
That's like asking which Ford would match up to a Chevy?  Do you want to specify what kind of speed you're looking for?

If you don't want to game (and you haven't said), you don't need an FX chip.  You're probably going to be looking for something from the Athlon family (Athlon XP or Athlon XP 64).
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: A Bit of Fruit on February 14, 2006, 09:46:56 PM
match up as in can be used for the same applications, eg if i wanted to game id need the P4
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: ober on February 14, 2006, 09:48:40 PM
If you want to game, you want a high-end Athlon or any FX series processor.
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: Steve on February 14, 2006, 11:07:41 PM
XP64 bit 2000+ would do just about anything without a big wallet hit. not too over the top not outdated really. I'd say get a XP 3200+ barton tho
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: A Bit of Fruit on February 15, 2006, 12:17:29 AM
is it wise to get a 64 bit processor?
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: ahluka on February 15, 2006, 04:14:46 AM
If you use 64bit Windows it is - if you use Linux you have no problem if you've kept your kernel up to date.
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: A Bit of Fruit on February 15, 2006, 05:57:45 AM
i have a 32 bit processor so im guessing my windows is 32 bit...i think i might get a P4 3.0GHz Im gonna find out some prices around here tommorrow
Title: Is Celeron bad?
Post by: Steve on February 15, 2006, 11:11:34 AM
if you dont have a 64bit system you dont have xp 64bit