Intel Celeron D 330

The Intel Celeron D 330 is a single-core desktop processor from 2004, built on the NetBurst architecture (Prescott codename) using a 90 nm process. It represents an entry-level computing segment from an era defined by high clock speeds and thermal challenges, rather than multi-core efficiency.

How It Compares

The benchmark data for this processor contains no nearest rivals, no individual benchmark scores, and no average score. Consequently, a direct numerical comparison against specific competing models is not available within the provided dataset. The only positional data point is a percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs, which places it at the exact median of the sample pool. This suggests that while it is not a performance outlier, it also does not represent the absolute bottom of the historical performance spectrum.

Without rival names or delta percentages, the analysis must rely on architectural context. The single core and single thread configuration, paired with a 2.67 GHz base clock, positions it firmly in the low-end segment of its generation. The lack of a boost clock means it operates at a fixed frequency. The 256 KB L2 cache and 16 KB L1 cache are minimal by modern standards but were typical for budget processors of that period. The 84 W TDP is notably high for a single-core part, indicating that it consumed significant power relative to the performance it delivered.

Who Should Consider It

This processor is not suited for modern gaming, content creation, or office productivity workloads. The single-core, single-thread design cannot handle contemporary software that expects multiple threads. For gaming, it lacks the instruction set extensions and core count needed for current titles. For creation workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, the absence of multi-threading would result in extremely long render times. For office tasks, even basic web browsing with modern websites would likely strain the single core.

The data indicates it is an end-of-life product, meaning it has no future support or relevance for new system builds. It could only be considered by a collector or a hobbyist interested in retro computing, specifically for running period-appropriate software from the mid-2000s. Its 50th percentile rank against all CPUs suggests it was an average performer among all processors ever benchmarked, but this is misleading because that pool includes many weaker embedded and legacy parts. In its own era, it was a low-end option, not a mainstream choice.

Benchmark Performance

The fact pack reports an average benchmark score of 0 and an empty benchmarks array. This means there is no quantitative performance data to analyze. The percentileVsAllCpus value of 50 is the only performance-related figure. This percentile indicates that, in a hypothetical ranking of all CPUs in the database, this processor would sit exactly in the middle. However, this is likely a statistical artifact of the database's inclusion of many older and lower-performing processors, rather than a true reflection of its standing against its direct contemporaries.

Because the nearestRivals list is empty, it is impossible to state how many percent faster or slower it is compared to specific competing chips like the Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP. The architectural details provide qualitative hints: a 2.67 GHz clock on NetBurst suggests decent integer performance for its time, but the small 256 KB L2 cache would have hurt performance in workloads with larger working sets. The dual-channel memory support for DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 indicates a flexible memory controller, but the actual bandwidth is not quantified in the data.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Celeron D 330?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread.

Q: What is the base clock speed?

A: The base clock is 2.67 GHz, and there is no boost clock.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the manufacturing process node?

A: It is built on a 90 nm process with 125 million transistors on a 109 mm² die.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 775.

Q: What is the production status?

A: The production status is listed as End-of-life.

Power and Thermals

The processor has a TDP of 84 W. For a single-core chip, this is a substantial power draw, a hallmark of the NetBurst architecture which prioritized high clock speeds at the expense of efficiency. This 84 W figure implies that cooling requirements are not trivial. A basic low-profile cooler would likely be insufficient under sustained load. The data suggests that a capable air cooler, similar to what was used for contemporary Pentium 4 processors, would be necessary to maintain stable operation. The heat density on the 109 mm² die is high, which can lead to localized hot spots. Without a boost clock, the power draw is constant under load, meaning thermal management is a steady-state challenge rather than a burst concern. The 90 nm process node was relatively immature, further contributing to higher leakage currents and heat generation compared to later, smaller process nodes.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Celeron D 330 is exclusively a single-threaded processor, with 1 core and 1 thread. This means it can execute only one instruction stream at a time. In modern operating systems, this forces the scheduler to rapidly switch between tasks, leading to noticeable slowdowns when multitasking. For single-threaded applications, the 2.67 GHz clock speed provides a baseline level of responsiveness, but the small 256 KB L2 cache limits how much data can be kept close to the core, potentially causing frequent stalls when accessing main memory.

The lack of a boost clock means there is no dynamic headroom for short bursts of activity; the processor always runs at its base frequency. This behavior is acceptable for legacy software from 2004, which was largely designed for single-core execution. However, for any modern workload, the single-thread performance is insufficient, and the absence of multi-threading makes it fundamentally incapable of parallel processing. The data shows no multi-threading capability, which is the defining limitation of this chip.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses the Intel Socket 775 platform. It supports dual-channel memory, with compatibility for DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory types. This broad memory support is unusual and suggests the memory controller was designed to be flexible across different motherboard generations, though the actual supported speeds are not specified in the data. It provides PCIe Gen 2 connectivity, which is a early version of the PCIe standard. Integrated graphics are not part of the processor itself; the data indicates that graphics would be provided "on certain motherboards (Chipset feature)", meaning the CPU relies on a separate GPU or an integrated graphics solution built into the motherboard chipset.

The upgrade path is essentially non-existent. As an end-of-life product on Socket 775, the only potential upgrades within the same platform would be other Socket 775 processors, but the data does not list any compatible parts. The architecture is NetBurst (Prescott), which was a dead-end design that Intel subsequently abandoned in favor of the Core architecture. The lack of ECC memory support further positions this as a consumer-grade part, not suitable for servers or workstations requiring error correction. The release date is 2004-06-23, placing it in the mid-2000s. The memory bus is dual-channel, but the bandwidth is not quantified, leaving the actual throughput unverified.