Celeron 2957U vs Core i5-2450M

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 2957U vs Core i5-2450M 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 2957U vs Core i5-2450M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2957U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (284 vs 453).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Core i5-2450M

2012

Why buy it

✅+59.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,076 vs 2,077).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Celeron 2957U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2450M better than Celeron 2957U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2450M is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2957U pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i5-2450M 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 2957U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i5-2450M is the better buy right now. Core i5-2450M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron 2957U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2957U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) 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 2957U vs Core i5-2450M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 2957U

The Celeron 2957U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,077 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i5-2450M

The Core i5-2450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 2,076 points. Launch price was $823.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2957U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2450M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2450M — a 75.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2450M (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron 2957U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2450M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2957U scores 2,077 against the Core i5-2450M's 2,076 — a 0% lead for the Celeron 2957U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 284 vs 453, a 45.9% lead for the Core i5-2450M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2450M.

Feature	Celeron 2957U	Core i5-2450M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	3.1 GHz+121%
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+79%
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,077	2,076
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,352
Geekbench 6 Single	284	453+60%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	871

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2957U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2957U versus 1333 on the Core i5-2450M — the Celeron 2957U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Celeron 2957U) vs 16 (Core i5-2450M) — the Core i5-2450M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2450M).

Feature	Celeron 2957U	Core i5-2450M
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+20%	1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	10	16+60%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2957U) vs true (Core i5-2450M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2957U) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2450M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2957U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U; Core i5-2450M rivals AMD A8-3500M.