Celeron P4500 vs Pentium D 950

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 P4500 vs Pentium D 950 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 P4500 vs Pentium D 950: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron P4500

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $551 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $637 MSRP).
✅Delivers 616.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.5 vs 1.5 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $637 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), while Pentium D 950 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (905 vs 935).

Pentium D 950

2006

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.5 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($637 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron P4500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 950 better than Celeron P4500?

Yes. Pentium D 950 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 3.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium D 950 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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, Pentium D 950 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium D 950 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium D 950 comes in 640.7% more expensive on MSRP at $637 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron P4500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 616.9% better value on paper (10.5 vs 1.5 PassMark/$), 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 P4500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron P4500 vs Pentium D 950 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron P4500

The Celeron P4500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 905 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium D 950

The Pentium D 950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 January 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 935 points. Launch price was $637.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron P4500 and Pentium D 950 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Celeron P4500 versus 3.4 GHz on the Pentium D 950 — a 191.9% clock advantage for the Pentium D 950 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Celeron P4500 uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium D 950 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron P4500 scores 905 against the Pentium D 950's 935 — a 3.3% lead for the Pentium D 950. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron P4500 vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 950.

Feature	Celeron P4500	Pentium D 950
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	3.4 GHz+4757%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	3.4 GHz+83%
L3 Cache	2 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	905	935+3%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron P4500 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium D 950 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron P4500	Pentium D 950
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron P4500) / not specified (Pentium D 950). The Celeron P4500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Pentium D 950 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron P4500 rivals Pentium P6000.

Feature	Celeron P4500	Pentium D 950
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron P4500 was priced at $86, while the Pentium D 950 came in at $637. On launch pricing ($86 vs $637), Celeron P4500 was $551 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron P4500 delivers 10.5 pts/$ vs 1.5 pts/$ for the Pentium D 950 — making the Celeron P4500 the 151% better value option.

Feature	Celeron P4500	Pentium D 950
MSRP	$86-86%	$637
Performance per Dollar	10.5+600%	1.5
Release Date	2010	2006

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