Intel Celeron D 340

The Intel Celeron D 340 is a single-core desktop processor from the NetBurst era, built on the Prescott architecture and manufactured on a 90 nm process. It occupies the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database, but with no benchmark scores or nearest rivals recorded, its performance must be interpreted through its architectural characteristics and specifications rather than direct comparative data.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Celeron D 340 is sparse, listing an average benchmark score of zero and an empty nearestRivals array. This absence of measured scores means the processor cannot be positioned against specific competitors using percentage deltas. However, the 50th percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database provides a baseline: it sits exactly in the middle of the distribution, suggesting a processor that is neither exceptionally fast nor notably slow for its era.

The processor’s performance potential is defined by its single core and single thread, running at a base clock of 2.93 GHz. Without a boost clock, this frequency is fixed under all workloads. The 16 KB L1 cache and 256 KB L2 cache are modest by modern standards, and the NetBurst architecture is known for its high clock speeds but relatively poor instructions-per-clock compared to later Intel designs. The 125 million transistors on a 109 mm² die indicate a simple, low-complexity chip.

Given the lack of rival scores, the data suggests this is a processor that was entry-level even at launch in late 2004. The 50th percentile placement implies that half of all CPUs in the database outperform it, which aligns with its positioning as a budget-oriented part. Benchmark results, if they existed, would likely show strong single-thread performance due to the high clock speed, but multi-threaded workloads would suffer from the single-core limitation.

Power and Thermals

The Celeron D 340 carries a TDP of 84 watts, which is substantial for a single-core processor. This figure places it in a power class that requires serious cooling considerations. The NetBurst architecture, particularly the Prescott core, was notorious for high heat output relative to its performance, and this 84 W TDP reflects that tendency.

An 84 W TDP implies the need for a capable air cooler with a decent heatsink and fan combination. Standard boxed coolers from that era were often adequate but ran loud under load. The 90 nm process node helps mitigate some heat generation, but the architecture’s inherent inefficiency means thermals could still climb under sustained workloads. Users pairing this chip with a motherboard would need to ensure proper case airflow and a cooler rated for at least this power level.

The high TDP also has implications for system power supply requirements and overall system thermals. While not extreme by modern standards, 84 W for a single-core chip is disproportionate, and the data suggests this processor would run hotter than comparable single-core parts from other architectures. Thermal throttling could be a concern in poorly ventilated cases, though the fixed 2.93 GHz clock without boost helps maintain consistent performance under normal conditions.

Who Should Consider It

The Celeron D 340 is suited for basic office tasks and light productivity workloads. Its single core and single thread at 2.93 GHz can handle word processing, spreadsheet work, and web browsing from its era, though modern websites with heavy JavaScript would strain it. The 50th percentile ranking indicates it is not a performance part, so users with demanding workloads should look elsewhere.

For gaming, this processor is largely unsuitable by modern standards. Early 2000s titles that were not heavily threaded might run acceptably, but any game requiring more than a single core would see poor performance. The dual-channel memory support for DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 provides some flexibility, but the lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory, further limiting its appeal for budget builds.

Creation workloads such as video editing, 3D rendering, or photo manipulation are out of reach. These tasks are multi-threaded by nature, and the single-thread limitation would result in extremely long render times or outright failure to launch on modern software. The processor is best viewed as a legacy part for retro computing, embedded applications, or simple file servers where its low cost and adequate single-thread speed for basic tasks are sufficient.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals array is empty, meaning no direct comparative data exists in the benchmark database. This absence prevents a rival-by-rival analysis using percentage deltas. However, the 50th percentile placement offers a general reference: the Celeron D 340 sits at the midpoint of all CPUs, which suggests it outperforms roughly half of the processors in the database and underperforms the other half.

Without named rivals, the comparison must rely on architectural context. Against other NetBurst Celerons, this part would be positioned at the higher end of the clock speed range for its generation. Against later Intel architectures like Core series, it would fall significantly behind due to the superior instructions-per-clock of those designs. The 84 W TDP is high for the performance level, indicating that rivals from more efficient architectures would offer better performance per watt.

The empty rival list also means no percentile deltas can be cited. This is a limitation of the data, but the 50th percentile figure stands as the sole comparative metric. It positions the processor as a middle-of-the-road part, though the architectural traits—NetBurst, single-core, 90 nm—suggest that the actual user experience would be closer to the lower end of that spectrum for modern workloads.

Platform and Compatibility

The Celeron D 340 uses the Intel Socket 775, a platform that supported a wide range of processors from early Pentium 4 through later Core 2 Duo models. This socket provides a potential upgrade path, though end-of-life production status means new parts are unavailable. The processor supports DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, offering flexibility in memory selection depending on the motherboard.

PCIe Gen 2 support is included, which allows for modern graphics cards and expansion cards, though the processor’s performance would bottleneck any high-end GPU. The integrated graphics are listed as a chipset feature on certain motherboards, meaning the processor itself lacks onboard graphics and requires a discrete GPU for display output. ECC memory is not supported, limiting suitability for error-critical server applications.

The upgrade path is constrained by the NetBurst architecture’s high TDP and heat output. While Socket 775 motherboards could accommodate faster Pentium 4 and Core 2 Duo processors, the 84 W TDP of this chip means the motherboard’s power delivery and cooling solution may not support significantly more powerful parts. The 90 nm process and 125 million transistors indicate an older design, so compatibility with newer operating systems and software may be limited.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Celeron D 340 have integrated graphics?

A: No, the processor does not include integrated graphics. The fact pack lists integrated graphics as a chipset feature on certain motherboards, meaning a discrete GPU is required for video output.

Q: What memory types does the Celeron D 340 support?

A: The processor supports DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the clock speed of the Celeron D 340?

A: The base clock is 2.93 GHz, and there is no boost clock, so the processor runs at a fixed frequency under all workloads.

Q: Is the Celeron D 340 still in production?

A: No, the production status is end-of-life. The processor was released on September 21, 2004.

Q: What socket does the Celeron D 340 use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 775, which also supports a range of other Intel processors from that era.

Q: How many cores and threads does the Celeron D 340 have?

A: The processor has one core and one thread, limiting it to single-threaded workloads.

Q: What is the TDP of the Celeron D 340?

A: The thermal design power is 84 watts, which requires a capable air cooler and adequate case airflow.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Celeron D 340 is a single-core, single-thread processor, so the distinction between single-thread and multi-thread behavior is stark. With only one thread, there is no multi-thread capability whatsoever; the processor cannot execute parallel tasks. This means any workload that benefits from multiple cores—video encoding, 3D rendering, modern web browsing with multiple tabs—will be severely limited.

The single-thread performance is defined by the 2.93 GHz clock and the NetBurst architecture. High clock speeds are the primary strength of this design, and the fixed frequency without boost means performance is consistent across all conditions. The 16 KB L1 cache and 256 KB L2 cache are small, which can cause performance drops in workloads with large working sets that exceed cache capacity.

In practice, the single-thread behavior is adequate for legacy software from the early 2000s, where most applications were written for a single core. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that even among single-threaded parts, this processor is not outstanding. Multi-thread behavior is non-existent, so the processor effectively cannot handle any modern multi-threaded workload. This limits it to very basic tasks, and users would need a multi-core processor for anything beyond simple office applications.