Atom N455 vs Pentium 4 2.40

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 N455 vs Pentium 4 2.40 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 N455 vs Pentium 4 2.40: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom N455

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3150, while Pentium 4 2.40 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌365.5% higher power demand at 512W vs 110W.

Pentium 4 2.40

2004

Why buy it

✅Draws 110W instead of 512W, a 402W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom N455 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (325 vs 345).
❌Launch MSRP is still $193 MSRP, while Atom N455 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom N455 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom N455 better than Pentium 4 2.40?

Yes. Atom N455 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom N455 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom N455 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.2% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.

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

Atom N455 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom N455 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $193 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 4 2.40 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2004 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (1.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.

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

Atom N455 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2004) 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 N455 vs Pentium 4 2.40 Technical Specifications

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

Atom N455

The Atom N455 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2010 (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: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 6.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 345 points. Launch price was $64.

Pentium 4 2.40

The Pentium 4 2.40 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 325 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom N455 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, matching the Pentium 4 2.40's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.67 GHz on the Atom N455 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.40 — a 35.9% clock advantage for the Pentium 4 2.40. The Atom N455 uses the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium 4 2.40 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N455 scores 345 against the Pentium 4 2.40's 325 — a 6% lead for the Atom N455. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom N455	Pentium 4 2.40
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	1 / 1
Boost Clock	1.67 GHz	2.4 GHz+44%
Base Clock	1.66 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+51100%	1 MB
Process	45 nm-50%	90 nm
Architecture	Pinetrail (2009−2011)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	345+6%	325

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Memory & Platform

The Atom N455 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 4 2.40 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-667 on the Atom N455 versus 400 on the Pentium 4 2.40 — the Atom N455 supports 66.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium 4 2.40 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. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N455) and Socket 478 (Pentium 4 2.40).

Feature	Atom N455	Pentium 4 2.40
Socket	FCBGA559	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-667+67%	400
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N455) / false (Pentium 4 2.40). The Atom N455 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), while the Pentium 4 2.40 requires a dedicated GPU.