Athlon 5150 vs Celeron 1020E

AMD

Athlon 5150

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Celeron 1020E

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Athlon 5150 vs Celeron 1020E Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Athlon 5150 vs Celeron 1020E FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon 5150 vs Celeron 1020E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon 5150

2014

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $65 less on MSRP ($21 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
  • Delivers 312.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 67.4 vs 16.3 PassMark/$ ($21 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 512W, a 487W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron 1020E.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Celeron 1020E

2013

Why buy it

  • 300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,406 vs 1,415).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.3 vs 67.4 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $21 MSRP).
  • 1948% higher power demand at 512W vs 25W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon 5150.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 5150 better than Celeron 1020E?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 1020E is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 5150 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 5150 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon 5150 is the better buy right now. Athlon 5150 comes in $65 cheaper on MSRP at $21 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Celeron 1020E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 312.1% better value on MSRP (67.4 vs 16.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon 5150 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon 5150 vs Celeron 1020E Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Athlon 5150

The Athlon 5150 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,415 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Celeron 1020E

The Celeron 1020E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,406 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Athlon 5150 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron 1020E offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon 5150 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Athlon 5150 versus 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 1020E — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Celeron 1020E. The Athlon 5150 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Celeron 1020E uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 5150 scores 1,415 against the Celeron 1020E's 1,406 — a 0.6% lead for the Athlon 5150.

FeatureAthlon 5150Celeron 1020E
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
2.2 GHz+38%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2048 kB+700%
256K (per core)
Process
28 nm
22 nm-21%
Architecture
Kabini (2013−2014)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,415
1,406
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 5150 uses the AM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 1020E uses G2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon 5150) vs 2 (Celeron 1020E). PCIe lanes: 4 (Athlon 5150) vs 16 (Celeron 1020E) — the Celeron 1020E offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM1 (Athlon 5150) and QM77,HM76 (Celeron 1020E).

FeatureAthlon 5150Celeron 1020E
Socket
AM1
G2
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
1600
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
4
16+300%
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon 5150) vs VT-x (Celeron 1020E). Both include integrated graphics Radeon R3 Graphics (Athlon 5150) and HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron 1020E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 1020E targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon 5150 rivals Pentium J2900; Celeron 1020E rivals Pentium 2020M.

FeatureAthlon 5150Celeron 1020E
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon R3 Graphics
HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 5150 was priced at $21, while the Celeron 1020E came in at $86. On launch pricing ($21 vs $86), Athlon 5150 was $65 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 5150 delivers 67.4 pts/$ vs 16.3 pts/$ for the Celeron 1020E — making the Athlon 5150 the 121.9% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 5150Celeron 1020E
MSRP
$21-76%
$86
Performance per Dollar
67.4+313%
16.3
Release Date
2014
2013

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