Celeron N3060 vs Core i5-450M

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 N3060 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 N3060 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 N3060

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 6W instead of 35W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 39.5 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).

Core i5-450M

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $75 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Delivers 233.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.5 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,264 vs 1,267).
❌483.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3060 better than Core i5-450M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-450M is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N3060 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N3060 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N3060 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N3060 comes in 234.4% more expensive on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-450M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 233.6% better value on paper (39.5 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 N3060 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 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 N3060 vs Core i5-450M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3060

The Celeron N3060 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.48 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,267 points. Launch price was $107.

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 N3060 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-450M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.48 GHz on the Celeron N3060 versus 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M — a 7% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Celeron N3060 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-450M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3060 scores 1,267 against the Core i5-450M's 1,264 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron N3060. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3060 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Core i5-450M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.48 GHz	2.66 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.4 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Braswell (2015−2016)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,267	1,264

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3060 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Celeron N3060 versus 1066 on the Core i5-450M — the Celeron N3060 supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N3060) vs 16 (Core i5-450M) — the Core i5-450M offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1170 (Celeron N3060) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M).

Feature	Celeron N3060	Core i5-450M
Socket	FCBGA1170	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+50%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	8	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron N3060) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-450M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron N3060 rivals AMD E2-9010; Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Core i5-450M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 400	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3060 was priced at $107, while the Core i5-450M came in at $32. On launch pricing ($107 vs $32), Core i5-450M was $75 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3060 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 39.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-450M — making the Core i5-450M the 107.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Core i5-450M
MSRP	$107	$32-70%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	39.5+235%
Release Date	2016	2010

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