I did drift a bit there, but stability was the core of my argument, particularly with regard to intel's superior PCI implementation.
I also believe their USB implementation and stability is better.
I can plug my scanner into the USB2 port on this KT333, and it's recognized quickly and works fine. If I plug my digital camera into the same port, it will hardlock the machine so badly, it needs to be powered off to be rebooted. I have had no problems with this camera on any of my other (all non-VIA) systems. I could go looking all over for a bios or driver update that would let it work, but I'm not inclined to bother, since Photoshop is on the other box anyway.
Combine this experience with strange USB problems on older VIA chipsets and my nForce 1 system as well, and I'm inclined to trust Intel chipsets for best of class usb compatibility.
Let's take a look at the prices of some of the P4 based Celerons vs. P4's: (tere is no such thing as a modern motherboard that supports the P3 based Celeron.)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&manufactory=1157&catalog=343&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1
Cel 1.8g retail: $68.00
Cel 2.0g retail: $82.50
Cel 2.2g retail: $99.00
Cel 2.4g retail: $145.00
P4 1.8g/ retail: $130.00 (400fsb)
P4 2.4g/ retail: $163.00 (533fsb)
I'd go for either end of the spectrum.
Either the cheapest Celeron, for low price and heat production, or the P4 2.4 for the price/performance sweetness.
Because the 2.4 P4 is based on the Northwood core, it produces less heat at a given clockspeed that the oplder design, so I have to wonder just how much less heat the Celerons put out.
Either way, an Intel system is the way I'd go for stability.