PC help: Upgrading a Celeron processor

Changing the processor on your desktop computer

Q I have an Acer computer that has a 1.5GHz Intel Celeron processor, and I was wondering if it was possible to change the processor to an Intel Pentium at the same speed or higher.
Roy Cross

A Generally, processor upgrades are possible depending on whether the motherboard in your computer (the main board to which all the processors, memory, chips and add-in cards are attached) is compatible with the new one.

The original Celeron processors used a Socket 370 attachment to the motherboard, which is compatible with Pentium III processors. Newer Celerons use Socket 478, which is compatible with some Pentium 4 chips.

The Celeron M processor connects using Socket 479, which is compatible with Pentium M chips. You’ll need to check which processors your motherboard is compatible with, as not all of the aforementioned types will take all processors. If this information is not in the manual, Acer’s technical support might be able to help.

It’s certainly likely that you could swap the existing Celeron chip with an equivalent Pentium, as above, but you will need to check with the manufacturer first.

One final complication is that if your Acer is a notebook computer, it is very unlikely that you will be able to replace the processor yourself. While desktop computer processors can be changed relatively easily by an experienced user, notebooks are much more tightly packed, and you may need to take it to an authorised service centre for the job.