Intel Celeron 1400

The Intel Celeron 1400 is a single-core, single-thread desktop processor from the Tualatin generation of the P6 architecture. It operates at a base clock of 1400 MHz, with a 35 W TDP, and was released in May 2002. The database lists no benchmark scores for this unit, but its 50th percentile ranking places it exactly at the midpoint of all CPUs tracked.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field is empty, so the database provides no direct competitor comparisons for this processor. Instead, the 50th percentile serves as the sole positioning metric: this CPU sits at the median of the entire performance distribution. That means half of all processors in the database are expected to outperform it, and half are expected to be slower, based on the aggregate benchmark data. The average benchmark score of 0 further indicates that no performance measurements have been recorded for this specific unit, so the percentile is derived from its specifications rather than from actual test runs. In the absence of rival data, the 1400 MHz clock, single-core layout, and 35 W TDP suggest that the Celeron 1400 occupied the entry-level segment of its era. Its 256 KB L2 cache and 32 KB L1 cache are modest by modern standards, but they were typical for a low-end CPU in 2002. The lack of a boost clock means the processor never exceeds its base frequency, so performance is predictable but fixed. The 50th percentile ranking, while neutral, is likely a reflection of the fact that many CPUs in the database are far more powerful, pulling the median upward, while a significant number of older or equally modest parts balance the scale.

Power and Thermals

With a TDP of 35 W, the Celeron 1400 falls into a low-power category. This level of thermal output does not require elaborate cooling solutions; a basic passive heatsink or a small low-profile fan would be sufficient to keep the chip within operating limits. The 130 nm manufacturing process and 44 million transistors on an 80 mm² die contribute to this modest power envelope. The absence of a boost clock means the processor always runs at its base 1400 MHz, so power draw remains consistent under load rather than spiking with dynamic frequency scaling. For a system builder, a 35 W TDP implies that motherboard VRM requirements are minimal, and even compact cases with limited airflow can accommodate this chip without special thermal management. The low thermal output also makes the Celeron 1400 suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs, provided the surrounding components do not generate excessive heat. The single-core design further reduces the thermal density compared to multi-core parts, as only one execution unit is active. In practice, the 35 W figure places this CPU in the same thermal class as many embedded or low-power processors, making it an easy component to integrate into a small form factor system.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

This processor has exactly one core and one thread. Consequently, there is no distinction between single-threaded and multi-threaded performance; every workload runs on a single execution stream. The 1400 MHz base clock is the sole speed at which it operates, and the 256 KB L2 cache and 32 KB L1 cache are the only memory resources available to that thread. In practice, this means the Celeron 1400 can handle sequential tasks such as simple word processing, spreadsheet calculations, or legacy software, but it will struggle with any application that attempts to use multiple threads. The lack of simultaneous multithreading (SMT) further limits its ability to interleave work, so even a single process that spawns background threads will see no benefit. Benchmark results, if they existed, would show identical scores for single- and multi-threaded tests because the hardware cannot parallelize. The 50th percentile ranking, therefore, reflects a processor that is neither particularly fast nor exceptionally slow for its time, but its single-threaded nature means it is completely outclassed by any modern multi-core part in tasks that can exploit parallelism. For users running single-threaded legacy applications, the Celeron 1400 may be adequate, but for any workload that expects to use more than one core, it is a non-starter.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Celeron 1400?

A: The TDP is 35 W.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 370.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the release date?

A: It was released in May 2002.

Q: What is the process node?

A: The process node is 130 nm.

Q: What is the cache configuration?

A: It has 32 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 cache.

Q: What is the launch MSRP?

A: The launch MSRP was $89.

Who Should Consider It

Given the single-core, single-thread design and 1400 MHz clock, this processor is suited for basic, single-threaded tasks. It is not appropriate for modern gaming, content creation, or any workload that benefits from multiple cores. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that it is an average performer among all CPUs in the database, but that average is heavily influenced by the fact that many CPUs are much more powerful. For users running legacy software, lightweight office applications, or simple embedded-like desktop uses, the Celeron 1400 could be sufficient. However, its end-of-life production status means it is not a candidate for new builds. The lack of integrated graphics on the CPU itself (though chipset-based graphics may be present on certain motherboards) means a discrete graphics card is required for any visual output. The 35 W TDP makes it easy to cool, and its socket 370 compatibility limits motherboard choices to those that support that interface. Users who already own a compatible Socket 370 motherboard and need a low-power replacement for a similar part might consider this CPU, but they must be prepared for its single-thread limitation. The 256 KB L2 cache is small by modern standards, but it was adequate for the software of its time. For anyone expecting to run multiple applications simultaneously, the lack of multi-threading will cause noticeable slowdowns, as the single thread must be time-sliced across all processes.

Platform and Compatibility

The Celeron 1400 uses the Intel Socket 370 interface, which was common on motherboards from the early 2000s. Memory support is listed as "unknown" and depends on the motherboard; the memory bus is single-channel, and ECC memory is not supported. The PCIe field is null, indicating that this processor does not natively provide PCIe lanes; expansion would depend on the motherboard's chipset. Integrated graphics are a chipset feature, not a CPU feature, so the presence of video output depends on the specific motherboard. The processor is end-of-life, meaning no future upgrades are planned within this platform. The 130 nm process and P6 architecture are legacy designs. For a user with a compatible Socket 370 motherboard, this CPU could serve as a drop-in replacement for a similar low-power part, but the lack of modern features such as multi-core support and high-speed memory interfaces severely limits its usefulness in current systems. The 44 million transistors and 80 mm² die size are historical figures that illustrate the scale of early 2000s silicon. The single-channel memory bus restricts memory bandwidth to what the motherboard provides, and the absence of ECC support rules out error-correcting memory configurations. The 1400 MHz base clock is fixed; there is no boost clock to provide temporary performance increases. The 32 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 caches are the only cache levels, with no L3 cache present. All these factors combine to make the Celeron 1400 a product of its era, suitable only for very specific legacy use cases.