Atom N550 vs Celeron G555

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 N550 vs Celeron G555 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 N550 vs Celeron G555: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom N550

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 9W instead of 65W, a 56W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G555.

Celeron G555

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Atom N550.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,427 vs 1,435).
❌Launch MSRP is still $52 MSRP, while Atom N550 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌622.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 9W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G555 better than Atom N550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G555 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, Atom N550 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, Atom N550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron G555 is the better buy right now. Celeron G555 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $52 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Atom N550 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (27.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron G555 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom N550 vs Celeron G555 Technical Specifications

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

Atom N550

The Atom N550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,435 points. Launch price was $86.

Celeron G555

The Celeron G555 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,427 points. Launch price was $89.

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Processing Power

The Atom N550 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G555's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 versus 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G555 — a 57.1% clock advantage for the Celeron G555 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Atom N550 uses the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron G555 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N550 scores 1,435 against the Celeron G555's 1,427 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom N550. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N550 vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G555.

Feature	Atom N550	Celeron G555
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+80%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+80%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Pineview (2009−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,435	1,427
Geekbench 6 Single	—	398
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	742

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Memory & Platform

The Atom N550 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G555 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-667 on the Atom N550 versus DDR3-1333 on the Celeron G555 — the Celeron G555 supports 99.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G555 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N550) vs 2 (Celeron G555). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom N550) vs 16 (Celeron G555) — the Celeron G555 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N550) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Celeron G555).

Feature	Atom N550	Celeron G555
Socket	FCBGA559	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-667	DDR3-1333+100%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	32 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N550) / VT-x (Celeron G555). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3150 (Atom N550) and Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron G555) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G555 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G555 rivals Pentium G630.