Athlon Neo MV-40 vs Core i5-450M

Athlon Neo MV-40 vs Core i5-450M Performance Spectrum

Athlon Neo MV-40

1 / 1

1,274

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-450M

2 / 4

1,264

0.0%

Celeron N3000

Pentium T3400

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

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 Neo MV-40 vs Core i5-450M 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 Neo MV-40 vs Core i5-450M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon Neo MV-40

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.7 vs 39.5 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-450M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-450M

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $68 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 210.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.5 vs 12.7 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Athlon Neo MV-40 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,264 vs 1,274).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-450M better than Athlon Neo MV-40?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-450M is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon Neo MV-40 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon Neo MV-40 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-450M is the better buy right now. Core i5-450M comes in $68 cheaper on MSRP at $32 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon Neo MV-40 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 210.0% better value on MSRP (39.5 vs 12.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-450M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon Neo MV-40 vs Core i5-450M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon Neo MV-40

The Athlon Neo MV-40 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Huron (2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: ASB1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,274 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-450M

The Core i5-450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,264 points. Launch price was $32.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon Neo MV-40 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i5-450M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-450M has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Athlon Neo MV-40 versus 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M — a 49.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M. The Athlon Neo MV-40 uses the Huron (2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-450M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Neo MV-40 scores 1,274 against the Core i5-450M's 1,264 — a 0.8% lead for the Athlon Neo MV-40.

Feature	Athlon Neo MV-40	Core i5-450M
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.66 GHz+66%
Base Clock	—	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Huron (2009)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,274	1,264

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon Neo MV-40 uses the ASB1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon Neo MV-40 versus 1066 on the Core i5-450M — the Core i5-450M supports 59.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-450M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon Neo MV-40) vs 16 (Core i5-450M) — the Core i5-450M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD ASB1 (Athlon Neo MV-40) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M).

Feature	Athlon Neo MV-40	Core i5-450M
Socket	ASB1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	1066+60%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon Neo MV-40) / true (Core i5-450M). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon Neo MV-40 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Athlon Neo MV-40	Core i5-450M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon Neo MV-40 was priced at $100, while the Core i5-450M came in at $32. On launch pricing ($100 vs $32), Core i5-450M was $68 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon Neo MV-40 delivers 12.7 pts/$ vs 39.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-450M — making the Core i5-450M the 102.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon Neo MV-40	Core i5-450M
MSRP	$100	$32-68%
Performance per Dollar	12.7	39.5+211%
Release Date	2009	2010

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