The recipient of our affections will be the new Celeron 700MHz CPU - Intel's fastest value processor available. Priced at around $195, speed comes fairly inexpensively, and since our i815E systems make use of PC133 memory, we won't have to worry about pricey RDRAM to achieve top-notch performance either. Additionally, we've found the FSB of Intel's i815E to be rather lenient for overclocking so we've selected ASUS' CUSL2 as our Celeron benchmarking platform.

The Celeron II line of value CPUs have their Level 2 cache built onto the processor die, meaning cache frequency dividers are a nuisance of the past. Since the SRAM chips on older Slot-based CPUs have always posed a problem to the overclocking community, we are naturally happy to see them go. In addition, the .18-micron process of the Celeron II means that we'll be dealing with low-voltage cores.

Note: For most of the boards on the market, Front Side Bus changes are made in the BIOS, while a few others utilize DIP switches on the PCB itself. It is important to have a solid grasp on BIOS functions, because it is possible to fry a CPU with a wrong setting. Also, be advised that Intel doesn't recommend overclocking and a voided warranty is a definite consequence. At the same time, recognize that only certain settings can damage your equipment, while others will just result in crashes.