Celeron B840 vs Pentium E5500

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 B840 vs Pentium E5500 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 B840 vs Pentium E5500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron B840

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium E5500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 14.2 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).

Pentium E5500

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $11 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Delivers 14.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.2 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,064 vs 1,065).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron B840 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E5500 better than Celeron B840?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium E5500 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron B840 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron B840 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E5500 is the better buy right now. Pentium E5500 comes in $11 cheaper on MSRP at $75 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron B840 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 14.6% better value on MSRP (14.2 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), 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 B840 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron B840 vs Pentium E5500 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron B840

The Celeron B840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) 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 (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: 1,065 points. Launch price was $86.

Pentium E5500

The Pentium E5500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,064 points. Launch price was $109.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron B840 and Pentium E5500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Celeron B840 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium E5500 — a 38.3% clock advantage for the Pentium E5500 (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Celeron B840 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E5500 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron B840 scores 1,065 against the Pentium E5500's 1,064 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron B840. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron B840 vs 0 kB on the Pentium E5500.

Feature	Celeron B840	Pentium E5500
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz	2.8 GHz+47%
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.8 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,065	1,064
Geekbench 6 Single	450	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	790	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B840 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E5500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron B840	Pentium E5500
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron B840) / not specified (Pentium E5500). The Celeron B840 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium E5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B840 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron B840 rivals Pentium B940.

Feature	Celeron B840	Pentium E5500
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron B840 was priced at $86, while the Pentium E5500 came in at $75. On launch pricing ($86 vs $75), Pentium E5500 was $11 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B840 delivers 12.4 pts/$ vs 14.2 pts/$ for the Pentium E5500 — making the Pentium E5500 the 13.6% better value option.

Feature	Celeron B840	Pentium E5500
MSRP	$86	$75-13%
Performance per Dollar	12.4	14.2+15%
Release Date	2011	2010

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