Because we know how you love comparisons, we threw in the results of a P3-550 CPU tested on the same machine along with the scores from a new Intel Celeron 500 CPU to see the gains of the new P3-600.

The differences between Intel's model range are beginning to clearly show themselves as examination of the benchmark results indicate. As support for Intel's SSE instructions grow we're seeing larger performance disparities between the P3 CPU line and the Celeron CPU line which aren't attributable to MHz level alone.

Early next year new models of the Celeron CPU line will have SSE support (along with a 100MHz FSB) but for now the Celerons are SSE-deprived and use a 66MHz FSB speed.

Most of the benchmark results we obtained with the three CPUs seem to fit the traditional mold of MHz level = higher speed, however there are a few nuances that the scores reflect that should be noticed by all.

First, the degree of optimization for SSE varies from benchmark to benchmark, and thus the performance gain of a P3 CPU over a Celeron CPU varies as well. An example of this is visible in the test scores for 3Dmark99 MAX and Rage Software's Expendable versus the incomplete code of Q3Test v1.07.

In both Expendable and 3Dmark99 MAX, which are completed products that have been shipping to retail for weeks, the impact of SSE's presence is large. Both show dramatic gains when an SSE-capable processor is used with them, versus the SSE-less Celeron CPU.