Why would I want to buy a newer processor w/ a slower clock spd vs an older processor w/ a faster clock spd?

Question

Why should I buy a Pentium 4 3.2 gHz for $130 when I can get a Pentium Celeron 3.2 gHz for $40?

Answer 1

It's not all about the clock speed. It's about the architecture and how it processes instructions. If a system can utilize resources more efficiently rather than brute force, it will be a better system.

For example, Pentium 4 has more cache compared to a Celeron, therefore the P4's will outperform every single time.

That's why newer AMD processors will have 2Ghz clock speed, even though they are a newer generation. Because they have a more advanced architecture.

It's just like cars. You can take two cars that both use same type of gas and have the same top speed, but one car can have a higher miles per gallon than the other. Therefore, the one with higher MPG would be a better performing car.

Answer 2

The key difference between the two is the onboard cache memory on the Pentium 4. For applications that benefit from cache (games, CAD, graphics/video related programs) they will run slower on a Celeron. Other applications such as accessing the Internet or word processing will make vitually no difference.

Answer 3

the Pentium 4 is a better processor, clock speed isn't everything. I have a PIII 866 that out performs some 2 GHz P4's in benchmarks

Answer 4

the clock speed really doesn't mean that much. pentium 4's are usually faster than celerons. just see if you can find out how fast they each finish tasks.