What Is the Difference Between a Pentium and a Celeron Processor?

computer processor — Do you know how to identify one processor from another? Xia yuan/Getty Images

Two of Intel's most popular microprocessors are the Pentium and Celeron. Here are the similarities and the differences:

Core: Both processors share the same basic dual-core architecture, with Celeron being the entry-level chip, and Pentium slotted above it. Both also have built-in graphics and support up to 128 GBs of RAM (computer memory).
Cache: The 2021 lines of both the Celeron and Pentium commonly have between two and four megabytes of cache memory (cache memory is where frequently used data is stored).
Clock speed: The 2021 Celeron line has options up to 3.6 GHz of clock speed, while Pentiums rank marginally faster, up to 4.3 GHz. Clock speed measures how fast a CPU can process data.
Bus speed: Both now also have very similar bus speeds with up to eight gigatransfers per second. (A bus is a circuit that connects one part of the motherboard to another. The more data a bus can handle at once, the faster it allows information to travel). Each processor can handle file transfers from things like USB drives quickly and effectively.

The main advantage Pentiums have over Celerons in 2021 is a feature called "hyper-threading." This function allows the operating system to virtually "split" each processor core in two. So, a dual-core Pentium can effectively perform similarly to a quad-core. The manufacturer states that hyper-threading can boost computing speeds up to 30 percent higher during CPU-intensive tasks.

The Pentium used to be Intel's high-grade processor, but it has since been replaced by the Core series, knocking it down to a mid-tier product. The Core line is intended for businesses and entrepreneurs and comes with all-around better stats. They have similar clock speeds to the Pentium chips but aren't capped at two CPU cores. In fact, the top of the line comes with a whopping 18 cores, making it several times faster than the cheaper lines.

Core processors also have many more megabytes of cache memory, but the same bus speed as Intel's other options. Additionally, they gain a "turbo boost" function, which allows the CPU to overclock itself automatically for short periods. Hyper-threading is also enabled, making the multi-core performance even more impressive. This speed does come at a price, with the most expensive Core units retailing at over $500, while a Celeron processor might cost under $100 and Pentium roughly between $100 and $200.

Celerons often come pre-installed in budget-conscience laptops, tablets and other compact smart devices. They're just fine for that purpose, but for multitasking on a PC, the hyper-threading feature available on Pentiums will probably come in handy. If you regularly use resource-heavy programs like Photoshop, media production suites or modern 3-D games, you should opt for a multi-core CPU such as Intel's Core processor or AMD Ryzen.

Intel Celeron Processor FAQ

Is an Intel Celeron processor good?

Celeron processors offer good value for their money as they are based on four Pentium cores, but with less cache memory. They can be particularly useful if you use Windows 8.1 or 7. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly deal, Celeron processors are the right choice for small business and personal use.

Which is better: Intel Core or Pentium?

Intel is known to equip their Core brand with more powerful processors compared to the equivalent Celeron or Pentium models, even though they often use the same basic processor technology.

Which Intel Core is the best?

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X with DirectX 12.00 takes the lead over Intel Core i9-10900K Processors with a 3DMark Physics score of 14133.

Is Core i3 better than Celeron?

Celeron and Core i3 both have the same number of cores. However, Core i3 has a 18GHz clock speed while Celeron has 1.1GHz making Core i3 the better choice.

Can I replace Celeron with i5?

You cannot replace your Celeron with i5 because Celerons belong to the LGA775 socket family while i5 technology is based on 1156 socket. Therefore, upgradation isn’t possible.