Celeron M P4600 vs Core i5-560M

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 i5-560M 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 i5-560M: 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

✅Costs $139 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 160.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.9 vs 8.4 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,886 vs 1,894).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-560M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-560M

2010

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 Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), while Celeron M P4600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.4 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-560M better than Celeron M P4600?

Yes. Core i5-560M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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 i5-560M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.2% 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, Core i5-560M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-560M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-560M comes in 161.6% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron M P4600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 160.5% better value on paper (21.9 vs 8.4 PassMark/$), 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 i5-560M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron M P4600 vs Core i5-560M 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 i5-560M

The Core i5-560M 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 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 1,894 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Celeron M P4600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-560M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron M P4600 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-560M — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-560M. Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron M P4600 scores 1,886 against the Core i5-560M's 1,894 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-560M. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron M P4600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-560M.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-560M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.2 GHz+60%
Base Clock	—	2.66 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)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,886	1,894
Geekbench 6 Single	—	450
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	950

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-560M
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 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 (Core i5-560M). The Core i5-560M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Celeron M P4600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-560M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-560M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-560M
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron M P4600 was priced at $86, while the Core i5-560M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($86 vs $225), Celeron M P4600 was $139 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M P4600 delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 8.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-560M — making the Celeron M P4600 the 89.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i5-560M
MSRP	$86-62%	$225
Performance per Dollar	21.9+161%	8.4
Release Date	2010	2010

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