Atom N550 vs Celeron N4000C

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 N4000C 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 N4000C: 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

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3150, while Celeron N4000C needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌50% higher power demand at 9W vs 6W.

Celeron N4000C

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 9W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,430 vs 1,435).
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom N550 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4000C better than Atom N550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N4000C is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom N550 pulls ahead with 0.3% 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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron N4000C still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N4000C comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron N4000C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom N550 vs Celeron N4000C 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 N4000C

The Celeron N4000C is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4/LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 1,430 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom N550 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron N4000C's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 versus 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4000C — a 53.7% clock advantage for the Celeron N4000C (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Atom N550 is built on the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Atom N550 scores 1,435 against the Celeron N4000C's 1,430 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom N550. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N550 vs 4 MB on the Celeron N4000C.

Feature	Atom N550	Celeron N4000C
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+73%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz+36%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	—
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Pineview (2009−2011)	—
PassMark	1,435	1,430

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Memory & Platform

The Atom N550 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N4000C uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom N550	Celeron N4000C
Socket	FCBGA559	FCBGA1090
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-667	—
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—