Celeron N4500 vs Core i7-820QM

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 i7-820QM 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 i7-820QM: 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

✅Draws 6W instead of 45W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,817 vs 1,819).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-820QM

2009

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $546 MSRP, while Celeron N4500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌650% higher power demand at 45W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-820QM better than Celeron N4500?

Yes. Core i7-820QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-820QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% 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 i7-820QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-820QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-820QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $546 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (3.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N4500 vs Core i7-820QM Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-820QM

The Core i7-820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4500 versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-820QM (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Celeron N4500 uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-820QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4500 scores 1,817 against the Core i7-820QM's 1,819 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-820QM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N4500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM.

Feature	Celeron N4500	Core i7-820QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.06 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	1.73 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB (total)+500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-78%	45 nm
Architecture	Jasper Lake (2021)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,817	1,819

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4500 uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.