The benchmark analysis should really be broken into two areas, starting with the Sempron 3100+. This value CPU impressed us at default clock speeds, but really took it to the next level when overclocked. Even without an AGP/PCI bus lock, the Sempron 3100+ managed a 2.15 GHz core speed, and took it to the Intel Celeron D and Pentium 4 processors in the gaming tests. The Sempron 3100+ didn't fare as well in the system and memory benchmarks, as the single-channel DDR controller and lower core speed held it back somewhat. But we use our systems in the real-world, and this is one area that the Sempron 3100+ excelled.
The Celeron D 335 managed a whopping 3.55 GHz overclock speed, and really showed its stuff in the system and memory benchmarking section. The high CPU bus speed combined with increased dual-channel DDR clock speed, allowed the Celeron D 335 to move past the Pentium 4-2.8E, and challenge the Pentium 4-3.0E for the Intel performance crown. On the gaming side, the smaller L2 cache and lower AGP and PCI speeds held it back somewhat, and even at 3.55 GHz, the Celeron D 335 had to take a back seat to the overclocked Sempron 3100+.
Intel has taken trip down memory lane, and released a value processor line that matches up well against such classics as the Celeron 300A and Celeron 500A. The Celeron D 335 sports an entry-level price, but displayed serious overclocking potential and the ability to compete with a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4.
The Sempron 3100+ may be the best value overclocking chip AMD has ever released, and no Duron has competed against Intel in this way. At 2.15 GHz, our Sempron 3100+ results were excellent for this class, and surpassed Intel in terms of real-world gaming performance. Both processors offer excellent value and overclocking, and it's been a long time since entry-level buyers had this much power at their fingertips.
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