Celeron 5205U
VS
Atom N550

Celeron 5205U vs Atom N550

Intel

Celeron 5205U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2019
VS
Intel

Atom N550

2 Cores4 Thrd9 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron 5205U is positioned at rank 1231 and the Atom N550 is on rank 618, so the Atom N550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 5205U

#1218
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
8811%
#1219
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
8682%
#1220
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
7970%
#1221
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
7934%
#1222
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
7861%
#1224
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
7592%
#1225
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
7279%
#1226
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
7267%
#1227
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
7072%
#1230
Core i7-820QM
MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A
100%
#1231
Celeron 5205U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1232
Core Duo T2700
MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A
84%
#1234
Pentium SU4100
MSRP: $289|Avg: $15
71%
#1235
Core Solo T1400
MSRP: $200|Avg: $5
64%
#1236
Core i7-940XM
MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A
62%
#1237
Core Solo T1350
MSRP: $200|Avg: $70
61%
#1239
Core Solo T1300
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
55%
#1240
Core Solo T1200
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
51%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom N550

#605
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
818%
#606
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
806%
#607
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
740%
#608
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
736%
#609
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
730%
#611
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
705%
#612
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
676%
#613
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
674%
#614
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
656%
#618
Atom N550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#621
Athlon II P320
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
99%
#624
Core 3 N355
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
98%
#627
Core i5-1335UE
MSRP: $312|Avg: $312
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron 5205U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCeleron 5205UAtom N550
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
✨ Modern (Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Pineview (2009−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Atom N550 (2010) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCeleron 5205UAtom N550
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 5205U and Atom N550

Intel

Celeron 5205U

The Celeron 5205U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,432 points. Launch price was $107.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The Celeron 5205U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Atom N550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Celeron 5205U versus 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Celeron 5205U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Celeron 5205U uses the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Atom N550 uses Pineview (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 5205U scores 1,432 against the Atom N550's 1,435 — a 0.2% lead for the Atom N550. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 5205U vs 0 kB on the Atom N550.

FeatureCeleron 5205UAtom N550
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.9 GHz+27%
1.5 GHz
Base Clock
1.9 GHz+27%
1.5 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB+100%
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
Pineview (2009−2011)
PassMark
1,432
1,435
Geekbench 6 Single
385
Geekbench 6 Multi
650
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 5205U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom N550 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron 5205U versus DDR3-667 on the Atom N550 — the Celeron 5205U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 5205U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Celeron 5205U) vs 1 (Atom N550). PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 5205U) vs 0 (Atom N550) — the Celeron 5205U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Comet Lake-U (Celeron 5205U) and Intel NM10 (Atom N550).

FeatureCeleron 5205UAtom N550
Socket
FCBGA1528
FCBGA559
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400+33%
DDR3-667
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+3100%
2 GB
RAM Channels
2+100%
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 5205U) / not specified (Atom N550). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics (Comet Lake) (Celeron 5205U) and Intel GMA 3150 (Atom N550) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 5205U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 5205U rivals Pentium Gold 6405U.

FeatureCeleron 5205UAtom N550
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics (Comet Lake)
Intel GMA 3150
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget