Celeron N4500 vs Core 2 Duo T9550

Intel

Celeron N4500

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2021
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo T9550

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.66 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Celeron N4500 vs Core 2 Duo T9550 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 N4500 vs Core 2 Duo T9550 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 N4500 vs Core 2 Duo T9550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4500

2021

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

    Core 2 Duo T9550

    2009

    Why buy it

    • +50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,804 vs 1,817).

    Quick Answers

    So, is Celeron N4500 better than Core 2 Duo T9550?
    Yes. Celeron N4500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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, Celeron N4500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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, Celeron N4500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Celeron N4500 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N4500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Celeron N4500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Celeron N4500 vs Core 2 Duo T9550 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Celeron N4500

    The Celeron N4500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,817 points. Launch price was $69.

    Intel

    Core 2 Duo T9550

    The Core 2 Duo T9550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,804 points. Launch price was $316.

    Processing Power

    Both the Celeron N4500 and Core 2 Duo T9550 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4500 versus 2.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9550 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Celeron N4500 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Celeron N4500 uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9550 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4500 scores 1,817 against the Core 2 Duo T9550's 1,804 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron N4500. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N4500 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9550.

    FeatureCeleron N4500Core 2 Duo T9550
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.8 GHz+5%
    2.66 GHz
    Base Clock
    1.1 GHz
    2.66 GHz+142%
    L3 Cache
    4 MB (total)
    6 MB L2 Cache+50%
    L2 Cache
    1.5 MB (total)
    6 MB+300%
    Process
    10 nm-78%
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Jasper Lake (2021)
    Penryn (2008−2011)
    PassMark
    1,817
    1,804
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Celeron N4500 uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9550 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCeleron N4500Core 2 Duo T9550
    Socket
    BGA1338
    PGA478
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0+264%
    PCIe 1.1