Atom N450 vs Celeron 2.20

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.

Atom N450 vs Celeron 2.20 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.

Atom N450 vs Celeron 2.20: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom N450

2009

Why buy it

✅+6.6% higher PassMark.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3150, while Celeron 2.20 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.

Celeron 2.20

2002

Why buy it

✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (305 vs 325).
❌Launch MSRP is still $79 MSRP, while Atom N450 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom N450 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2.20 better than Atom N450?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 2.20 is ahead with 31.7% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom N450 pulls ahead with 6.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom N450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.6% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 2.20 is the better buy right now. Celeron 2.20 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $79 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 31.7% higher max boost clock. The compromise is that Atom N450 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 6.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (3.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Atom N450 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2002) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom N450 vs Celeron 2.20 Technical Specifications

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

Atom N450

The Atom N450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 December 2009 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 1.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 325 points. Launch price was $64.

Celeron 2.20

The Celeron 2.20 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Northwood (2002−2004) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 128 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 305 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Atom N450 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, matching the Celeron 2.20's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.67 GHz on the Atom N450 versus 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 2.20 — a 27.4% clock advantage for the Celeron 2.20. The Atom N450 uses the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron 2.20 uses Northwood (2002−2004) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N450 scores 325 against the Celeron 2.20's 305 — a 6.3% lead for the Atom N450. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom N450	Celeron 2.20
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	1 / 1
Boost Clock	1.67 GHz	2.2 GHz+32%
Base Clock	1.66 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+300%	128 kB
Process	45 nm-65%	130 nm
Architecture	Pinetrail (2009−2011)	Northwood (2002−2004)
PassMark	325+7%	305

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom N450 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 2.20 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Atom N450 versus DDR1-400 on the Celeron 2.20 — the Atom N450 supports 66.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 2.20 supports up to 4 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N450) and 845,850,865 (Celeron 2.20).

Feature	Atom N450	Celeron 2.20
Socket	FCBGA559	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667+67%	DDR1-400
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N450) / No (Celeron 2.20). The Atom N450 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), while the Celeron 2.20 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2.20 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2.20 rivals Pentium 4 2.40.