Celeron 1020M vs Core i5-450M

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.

Celeron 1020M 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.

Celeron 1020M 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.

Celeron 1020M

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Core i5-450M

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,264 vs 1,275).
❌Launch MSRP is still $32 MSRP, while Celeron 1020M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-450M better than Celeron 1020M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-450M is ahead with 26.7% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 1020M pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-450M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 1020M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 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 at an unclear MSRP at $32 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 26.7% higher max boost clock. The compromise is that Celeron 1020M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (39.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 1020M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 1020M vs Core i5-450M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 1020M

The Celeron 1020M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $86.

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.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 1020M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-450M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Celeron 1020M versus 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Celeron 1020M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-450M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 1020M scores 1,275 against the Core i5-450M's 1,264 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron 1020M. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 1020M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M.

Feature	Celeron 1020M	Core i5-450M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.66 GHz+27%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,275	1,264

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Celeron 1020M versus 1066 on the Core i5-450M — the Celeron 1020M supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 1020M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM77,HM76,HM75 (Celeron 1020M) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M).

Feature	Celeron 1020M	Core i5-450M
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+50%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 1020M) vs true (Core i5-450M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron 1020M) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-450M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 1020M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 1020M rivals Pentium 2020M; Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.