Celeron P4600 vs Core i5-540UM

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 P4600 vs Core i5-540UM 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 P4600 vs Core i5-540UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron P4600

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-540UM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (965 vs 1,002).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Core i5-540UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌94.4% higher power demand at 35W vs 18W.

Core i5-540UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 18W instead of 35W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-540UM better than Celeron P4600?

Yes. Core i5-540UM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.8% 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, Core i5-540UM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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 i5-540UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-540UM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-540UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron P4600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i5-540UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron P4600 vs Core i5-540UM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron P4600

The Celeron P4600 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 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: 965 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-540UM

The Core i5-540UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Celeron P4600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-540UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Celeron P4600 versus 2 GHz on the Core i5-540UM — a 181% clock advantage for the Core i5-540UM (base: 2 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Celeron P4600 uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-540UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron P4600 scores 965 against the Core i5-540UM's 1,002 — a 3.8% lead for the Core i5-540UM. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron P4600 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-540UM.

Feature	Celeron P4600	Core i5-540UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz	2 GHz+1900%
Base Clock	2 GHz+67%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	965	1,002+4%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron P4600 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-540UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Celeron P4600 versus 800 on the Core i5-540UM — the Celeron P4600 supports 33.3% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Celeron P4600) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-540UM).

Feature	Celeron P4600	Core i5-540UM
Socket	PGA988	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1066+33%	800
Max RAM Capacity	8	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Celeron P4600) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-540UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron P4600 rivals Pentium P6000; Core i5-540UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.