Unlike the dual-format Pentium III, the Celeron has been a pure Socket design since the PPGA Celeron 333-533. The Celeron 533A-700 chips have simply switched over to the newer FC-PGA (Flip Chip) processor package. This brings up a dilemma in regards to which motherboard to use, a FC-PGA model, or one using the Slot 1 design. Here's a rundown on the pros and cons of each:

With Slot 1, the biggest positive is that you might already have one in your system right now. If it's a relatively new board using the Intel BX or VIA Apollo Pro 133/A chipsets, then odds are that it can handle the new Celerons. First, check with your motherboard vendor to see if it meets the specs. If so, you'll need to purchase a Slocket adapter so the FC-PGA Celeron can fit in the Slot 1 interface.. The added cost of the Slocket is a disadvantage, but the control it offers for voltage and FSB tweaking is a definite plus. With the Slot 1 design, larger CPU coolers also might have a hard time fitting in the space between the processor and the first DIMM socket.

Simply by virtue of their CPU interface, you can be sure that FC-PGA motherboards will be Coppermine-ready. The native FC-PGA socket of the Celeron 533A+ also means that no Slocket adapter will be required with these boards, thus saving you money compared to going the Slot 1 route. Adding large CPU coolers should not be an issue with most FC-PGA boards, and since the CPU points upwards (rather than sideways for the Slot 1) the leeway for heatsink and fan height is quite a bit larger. Then again, installing or removing a processor from a FC-PGA motherboard is quite a bit more difficult than with Slot 1, and in the case of some FC-PGA boards, the loss of hardware voltage and FSB controls can hamper overclocking. If you're thinking of upgrading in the future, keep in mind that FC-PGA Pentium III processors are usually a bit cheaper and easier to find than their corresponding Slot 1 variant.