Celeron M P4600 vs Core i5-2510E

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 P4600 vs Core i5-2510E 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 P4600 vs Core i5-2510E: 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 P4600

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $144 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $230 MSRP).
✅Delivers 167.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.9 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $230 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2510E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-2510E

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Celeron M P4600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,884 vs 1,886).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($230 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2510E better than Celeron M P4600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2510E is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron M P4600 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i5-2510E 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 M P4600 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?

Core i5-2510E is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-2510E comes in 167.4% more expensive on MSRP at $230 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron M P4600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 167.7% better value on paper (21.9 vs 8.2 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i5-2510E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron M P4600 vs Core i5-2510E Technical Specifications

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

Celeron M P4600

The Celeron M P4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,886 points. Launch price was $86.

Core i5-2510E

The Core i5-2510E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 1,884 points. Launch price was $266.

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Processing Power

The Celeron M P4600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2510E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron M P4600 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2510E — a 43.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2510E. The Celeron M P4600 uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-2510E uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron M P4600 scores 1,886 against the Core i5-2510E's 1,884 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron M P4600. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron M P4600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2510E.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-2510E
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,886	1,884
Geekbench 6 Single	—	527

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-2510E
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron M P4600) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2510E). The Core i5-2510E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Celeron M P4600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2510E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-2510E rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-2510E
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron M P4600 was priced at $86, while the Core i5-2510E came in at $230. On launch pricing ($86 vs $230), Celeron M P4600 was $144 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M P4600 delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 8.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-2510E — making the Celeron M P4600 the 91.2% better value option.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-2510E
MSRP	$86-63%	$230
Performance per Dollar	21.9+167%	8.2
Release Date	2010	2011

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