Celeron N2840 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 N2840 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 N2840 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 N2840

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 7W instead of 35W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-480M

2011

Why buy it

✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,327 vs 1,331).
❌Launch MSRP is still $81 MSRP, while Celeron N2840 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌400% higher power demand at 35W vs 7W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N2840 better than Core i5-480M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-480M is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N2840 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N2840 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N2840 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N2840 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $81 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Core i5-480M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Celeron N2840 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) 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 N2840 vs Core i5-480M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N2840

The Celeron N2840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.58 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,331 points. Launch price was $69.

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 N2840 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-480M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.58 GHz on the Celeron N2840 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-480M (base: 2.16 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Celeron N2840 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-480M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N2840 scores 1,331 against the Core i5-480M's 1,327 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron N2840. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N2840 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-480M.

Feature	Celeron N2840	Core i5-480M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.58 GHz	2.93 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.16 GHz	2.66 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,331	1,327
Geekbench 6 Single	230	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	430	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N2840 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-480M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1333 on the Celeron N2840 versus 1066 on the Core i5-480M — the Celeron N2840 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N2840) vs 16 (Core i5-480M) — the Core i5-480M offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Celeron N2840) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-480M).

Feature	Celeron N2840	Core i5-480M
Socket	FCBGA1170	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1333+25%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron N2840) vs true (Core i5-480M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Celeron N2840) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-480M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N2840 targets Netbook. Direct competitor: Celeron N2840 rivals AMD A6-6310; Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Celeron N2840	Core i5-480M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	true
Target Use	Netbook	—