Celeron Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i5-2557M

Intel

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.87 GHz2008
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Core i5-2557M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2011
Similar parts
·······

Celeron Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i5-2557M Performance Spectrum

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.

Celeron Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i5-2557M 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 Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i5-2557M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

2008

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • 2911.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 17W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2557M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-2557M

2011

Why buy it

  • Draws 17W instead of 512W, a 495W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Celeron Dual-Core T1500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron Dual-Core T1500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,618 vs 1,625).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron Dual-Core T1500 better than Core i5-2557M?
Yes. Celeron Dual-Core T1500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Celeron Dual-Core T1500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron Dual-Core T1500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron Dual-Core T1500 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron Dual-Core T1500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-2557M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i5-2557M Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

The Celeron Dual-Core T1500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.87 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,625 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i5-2557M

The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.

Processing Power

The Celeron Dual-Core T1500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2557M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 36.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M. The Celeron Dual-Core T1500 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 scores 1,625 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron Dual-Core T1500.

FeatureCeleron Dual-Core T1500Core i5-2557M
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.87 GHz
2.7 GHz+44%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
65 nm
32 nm-51%
Architecture
Merom (2006−2008)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,625
1,618
Geekbench 6 Single
521
Geekbench 6 Multi
882
🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2557M — the Core i5-2557M supports 99.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2557M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron Dual-Core T1500) vs 16 (Core i5-2557M) — the Core i5-2557M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM965,GL960 (Celeron Dual-Core T1500) and HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M).

FeatureCeleron Dual-Core T1500Core i5-2557M
Socket
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-667
DDR3-1333+100%
Max RAM Capacity
4 GB
8 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: No (Celeron Dual-Core T1500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). The Core i5-2557M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T1500 targets Budget, Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core T1500 rivals Pentium T2390; Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.

FeatureCeleron Dual-Core T1500Core i5-2557M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
No
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Budget