VIA C3 800 MHz

This processor is based on a core called Ezra. Clocked at 800 MHz, this C3 can run without a fan, using just a heatsink. It makes use of 133 MHz FSB, and has 128 KB and 63 KB of L1 and L2 cache, respectively. Its Socket-370 compatibility means that it can replace current Celeron processors without any additional change in hardware.

We tested it in running business productivity applications, using the BW 2001 benchmark. A Celeron 600 was used for comparison. Here, the C3 800 scored 22, which was 6 percent lower than the Celeron’s 23.4 score. This is not a bad score for running regular productivity applications only. On CCW 2001 benchmark (for graphics and other content-creation applications), it scored 25 percent lower (18.1 compared to 24.2 scored by the

Celeron).

Overall, the C3 800 has a certain appeal because of its low cost and fan-less operation.

Anuj Jain