Intel Celeron D 325 socket: LGA 775

What the Celeron D 325 is

The Intel Celeron D 325 is a 2.533 GHz single-core value processor from June 2004. It runs one NetBurst Prescott core at 2.533 GHz with no Hyper-Threading, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 256 KB of L2 on a 90 nm process. Power is rated at 73 W in an LGA 775 package.

The 325 uses a 533 MT/s front side bus from a 133 MHz clock with a 19x multiplier. Intel placed it as the entry Celeron D on LGA 775 alongside Socket 478 Celeron D parts at the same clocks, giving system makers a land grid option without changing the value price point. The chip supports MMX, SSE, SSE2 and SSE3 without Hyper-Threading. A Socket 478 Celeron D 325 shares the number in a pin grid package, so socket must be checked before ordering a replacement.

Small cache defines the Celeron D line against Pentium 4 Prescott parts. The 256 KB L2 quarters the 1 MB on Pentium 4 Prescott parts at nearby clocks, which shows in office multitasking yet matters less in single-task value use. That cache cut is why Celeron D parts cost far less than Pentium 4 parts at similar megahertz.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Celeron D 325 LGA 775 fits LGA 775 value desktops with DDR or DDR2 memory, a 533 MT/s bus and a BIOS that lists Prescott Celeron parts. It needs a land grid board, not a Socket 478 board. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Value LGA 775 towers with integrated graphics and DDR memory are the natural match. Intel 915 series chipsets with 533 MT/s support accept the chip with a cooler rated for 73 W. Socket 478 Celeron D 325 parts need pin grid boards with different mounting, even though clocks match.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR or DDR2 through the board chipset, with single or dual channel operation set by the chipset. The CPU has no memory controller, so board design sets speed and capacity.

A 533 MT/s front side bus ties the CPU to the chipset, while PCIe or AGP slots hang off the chipset for graphics on LGA 775 value boards. No PCIe lanes originate on the die. Cooling uses the LGA 775 load plate with a heatsink rated for 73 W at 72 mm screw spacing. Normal case airflow suits the value envelope.

Upgrade paths

On LGA 775 the steps are the Celeron D 330 at 2.667 GHz and the 335 at 2.8 GHz with the same 256 KB cache for direct swaps where listed. Pentium 4 505 parts at 2.66 GHz offer Hyper-Threading and 1 MB of cache on the same socket as a larger lift. Beyond NetBurst a move to Core based Celeron parts needs chipset and BIOS support. The 325 lifts with the load plate open, so swaps need no solder work.