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 G550 vs Core i5-450M 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 G550 vs Core i5-450M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G550

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.5 vs 39.5 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i5-450M

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
✅Delivers 61.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.5 vs 24.5 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,264 vs 1,275).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-450M better than Celeron G550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-450M is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G550 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-450M 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 G550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i5-450M is the better buy right now. Core i5-450M comes in $20 cheaper on MSRP at $32 MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G550 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 61.1% better value on MSRP (39.5 vs 24.5 PassMark/$), 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 G550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) 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 G550 vs Core i5-450M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G550

The Celeron G550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $80.

Core i5-450M

The Core i5-450M 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 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: 1,264 points. Launch price was $32.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-450M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron G550 versus 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Celeron G550 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-450M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G550 scores 1,275 against the Core i5-450M's 1,264 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron G550. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G550 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i5-450M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.66 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,275	1,264
Geekbench 6 Single	379	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	663	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Celeron G550 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,B65,H67,Z68 (Celeron G550) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M).

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i5-450M
Socket	LGA1155	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G550) vs true (Core i5-450M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron G550) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-450M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G550 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G550 rivals Pentium G630; Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i5-450M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	true
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G550 was priced at $52, while the Core i5-450M came in at $32. On launch pricing ($52 vs $32), Core i5-450M was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G550 delivers 24.5 pts/$ vs 39.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-450M — making the Core i5-450M the 46.8% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i5-450M
MSRP	$52	$32-38%
Performance per Dollar	24.5	39.5+61%
Release Date	2012	2010

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