Celeron P4600
VS
Core i5-540UM

Celeron P4600 vs Core i5-540UM

Intel

Celeron P4600

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Core i5-540UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron P4600 is positioned at rank 1050 and the Core i5-540UM is on rank 1081, so the Celeron P4600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron P4600

#1038
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2615%
#1039
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2577%
#1040
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2365%
#1041
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2355%
#1042
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2333%
#1044
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2253%
#1045
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2160%
#1046
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2157%
#1047
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2099%
#1050
Celeron P4600
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
100%
#1051
Core 2 Duo U7500
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
99%
#1052
Pentium 987
MSRP: $134|Avg: $20
99%
#1053
Core i7-4910MQ
MSRP: $570|Avg: $570
98%
#1054
Pentium T4400
MSRP: $107|Avg: $5
98%
#1056
Athlon X2 QL-65
MSRP: $150|Avg: $22
97%
#1057
Pentium J2850
MSRP: $94|Avg: $94
96%
#1058
Core i7-4900MQ
MSRP: $570|Avg: $40
96%
#1059
Pentium Dual Core T2370
MSRP: $150|Avg: $25
95%
#1060
Celeron P4505
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
95%
#1061
Pentium T4200
MSRP: $99|Avg: $10
95%
#1062
Core i7-2720QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
95%
#1063
Pentium 2020M
MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A
94%
#1064
Celeron P4500
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
94%
#1065
Pentium Dual Core SU4100
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-540UM

#1068
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2928%
#1069
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2885%
#1070
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2649%
#1071
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2637%
#1072
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2613%
#1074
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2523%
#1075
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2419%
#1076
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2415%
#1077
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2350%
#1080
A6-7000
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
100%
#1081
Core i5-540UM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1082
Core i5-2520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
99%
#1083
Core i7-2710QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $40
99%
#1088
Core i5-3610ME
MSRP: $276|Avg: $22
96%
#1089
Core m3-7Y32
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
96%
#1091
Celeron B720
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
95%
#1092
Celeron 847
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
95%
#1093
Core i7-2630QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
94%
#1095
Core i7-2635QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-540UM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Celeron P4600 in both compute-intensive tasks (3.8% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCeleron P4600Core i5-540UM
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Westmere (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCeleron P4600Core i5-540UM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron P4600 and Core i5-540UM

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

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.

FeatureCeleron P4600Core 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%
🧠

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 28.5% 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).

FeatureCeleron P4600Core 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
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

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.

FeatureCeleron P4600Core i5-540UM
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
true