Intel's Celeron D 331 CPUs were designed to build entry-level computing systems. Such PCs had low speed and allowed to solve the simplest tasks. It is this affordable microprocessor solution that will be discussed in this review material.
Specialization
Intel's microprocessor products within the LGA775 computer platform were distributed as follows:
- The most productive system units were necessarily equipped with CPUs of the Core 2Quad series, which were based on the most advanced architecture at that time, had higher frequencies and were equipped with an increased amount of fast cache memory. Therefore, such CPUs even to this day continue to be relevant and provide a very high level of performance.
- Mid-range personal computers were based on chips from the Core 2Duo line. Their key difference from older models is the reduced number of computing units. If the older Core 2Quad chips had four processing units, then the Core 2Duo microprocessors - only two. Therefore, the performance level of such computing systems was significantly lower.
- Entry-level computers within the processor socket were based on Pentium CPUs. This group of solutions was already based not on the Core architecture, but on NetBurst. The latter at that time managed to become very outdated. Therefore, the performance of such chips was at a very, very low level.
- The most budget PCs were based on Celeron processor units. One or two computing units on an outdated architecture with lower frequencies and a reduced cache memory allowed such chips to solve only the simplest tasks at that time. It was to this group that the hero of this review belonged - Intel Celeron D 331.
Types of trim levels
In two possible delivery options, one could find Celeron D 331. The most affordable of them in terms of cost was Trail. The Intel company included a chip in a protective transport box made of plastic, a sticker - a logo, a certificate of compliance and a user manual. This delivery option was most often acquired by large companies that specialized in assembling system units. In the future, they bought separately cooling systems at very low wholesale prices, and this made it possible to obtain small savings in the long run on each computer. The second possible delivery option is Box. In this case, the delivery list was supplemented by a cardboard box, a regular cooler from Intel and a tube of thermal paste. In this form, this microprocessor was already acquired by small assemblers of computer systems.
Main CPU parameters
As previously noted, the main socket for installing these processors is socket 775. This chip included one computing module, whose code name is Prescott. Its rated frequency is 2.6 GHz. Among other features of Celeron D 331 it is possible to note the presence of support for 64-bit computing. That is, even modern office applications on such a hardware basis can still work.
Cache. RAM
Already one number of processor cores of this model indicates that it is equipped with a cache memory system of only two levels. At the same time, the size of the first of them is only 16 Kb, and the second - 256 Kb. This fact alone has a very negative effect on the speed of the computer system as a whole. The RAM controller was not part of the microprocessor, but was located in the "northern microcircuit" of the system logic set. As a rule, it supported two-channel mode and could work only with DDR2 standard memory. Moreover, the recommended operating frequency of the module microcircuits should be 533 MHz. The maximum amount of RAM in this case was limited to 4 GB.
Thermal pack. Technological features
The characteristics of Celeron D 331 indicate that the thermal package of this CPU does not exceed 84 W, and its maximum allowable temperature is 67 0 C. Of course, today this microprocessor cannot be called an energy-efficient solution, but by the standards of 2005 it was still such . The silicon substrate of this chip was manufactured using technology with a tolerance of 90 nm. Again, now this technical process is completely outdated, but at the time the sales of this modification of the microprocessor began, it was advanced.
Task list
The previously mentioned number of processor cores of this modification does not allow it to provide a high level of performance. Therefore, such a chip is most appropriate to use only for the most simple tasks. The latter include various office suites, browsers, accounting and banking applications, multimedia players and the simplest toys. But more demanding programs on such a chip will not start.
Cost
At the moment, you can still find a Celeron D 331 processor on sale. Moreover, both in a new state and in a used one. In the latter case, it can be bought at domestic trading floors at a price of 70-100 rubles. Again, the state of the CPU in this situation can only be guessed at. Quite often, such chips lend themselves to overclocking and operate at the limit of their capabilities. When the first glitches in his work appear, the owner sells such a computer in whole or in part. Therefore, in this form, this microprocessor model is not recommended for purchase. You can also buy such a semiconductor device in the new state already on the Chinese trading floors on the Internet. In this case, its cost will be 300-350 rubles. In this form, it is advisable to buy this modification of the CPU only for the repair of system units based on LGA775.
Reviews Strengths and main disadvantage
Socket 775 processors have only one significant drawback: this computer platform is currently outdated. Only its most productive chips only partially meet modern requirements. The hero of this review belonged to the segment of the least efficient CPUs. Therefore, it is advisable to use such a microprocessor only as part of low-performance computing systems. That is, in the reviews, the owners call this chip an excellent solution for office PCs. The pluses include the cost and reliability of this microprocessor.
Conclusion
As part of this material, the Celeron D 331 microprocessor model was considered. This chip could not even boast of something remarkable. This is a typical CPU designed for budget system units. That is how the owners use it to this day. Of course, such a computer already needs modernization. This is exactly what the owners of such office system units should think about.