Celeron 5305U vs Core i5-460M

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 5305U vs Core i5-460M 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 5305U vs Core i5-460M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 5305U

2020

Why buy it

✅+39.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,307 vs 1,321).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i5-460M

2010

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (343 vs 480).
❌Launch MSRP is still $80 MSRP, while Celeron 5305U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 5305U better than Core i5-460M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 5305U is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-460M pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i5-460M 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, Core i5-460M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Celeron 5305U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron 5305U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $80 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-460M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Celeron 5305U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 5305U vs Core i5-460M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 5305U

The Celeron 5305U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,307 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-460M

The Core i5-460M 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 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,321 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 5305U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-460M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron 5305U versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-460M — a 19.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-460M (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Celeron 5305U uses the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-460M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 5305U scores 1,307 against the Core i5-460M's 1,321 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-460M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 480 vs 343, a 33.3% lead for the Celeron 5305U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 5305U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-460M.

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Core i5-460M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.8 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.53 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,307	1,321+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	480+40%	343
Geekbench 6 Multi	865	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 5305U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-460M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron 5305U versus 1066 on the Core i5-460M — the Celeron 5305U supports 125.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 5305U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 5305U) vs 16 (Core i5-460M) — the Core i5-460M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Comet Lake-U (Celeron 5305U) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-460M).

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Core i5-460M
Socket	FCBGA1528	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+125%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+700%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 5305U) vs true (Core i5-460M). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics (Comet Lake) (Celeron 5305U) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-460M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 5305U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 5305U rivals Pentium Gold 6405U; Core i5-460M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Core i5-460M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics (Comet Lake)	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Budget	—