Celeron M 743 vs Core i5-480M

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 M 743 vs Core i5-480M 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 M 743 vs Core i5-480M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron M 743

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,324 vs 1,327).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 16.4 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $81 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-480M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-480M

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $26 less on MSRP ($81 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.4 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($81 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Celeron M 743 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-480M better than Celeron M 743?

Yes. Core i5-480M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-480M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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, Core i5-480M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-480M is the better buy right now. Core i5-480M comes in $26 cheaper on MSRP at $81 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 32.4% better value on MSRP (16.4 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-480M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron M 743 vs Core i5-480M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron M 743

The Celeron M 743 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA965. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,324 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i5-480M

The Core i5-480M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,327 points. Launch price was $81.

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Processing Power

The Celeron M 743 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i5-480M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-480M has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Celeron M 743 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M — a 77.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-480M. The Celeron M 743 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-480M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron M 743 scores 1,324 against the Core i5-480M's 1,327 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-480M.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-480M
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	2.93 GHz+125%
Base Clock	—	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,324	1,327

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron M 743 uses the BGA965 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-480M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-480M
Socket	BGA965	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron M 743) / true (Core i5-480M). The Core i5-480M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Celeron M 743 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-480M
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron M 743 was priced at $107, while the Core i5-480M came in at $81. On launch pricing ($107 vs $81), Core i5-480M was $26 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M 743 delivers 12.4 pts/$ vs 16.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-480M — making the Core i5-480M the 27.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron M 743	Core i5-480M
MSRP	$107	$81-24%
Performance per Dollar	12.4	16.4+32%
Release Date	2009	2011

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