CPU
GPU
Core i5-2450M
Celeron 2957U
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 Core i5-2450M is positioned at rank 1100 and the Celeron 2957U is on rank 53, so the Celeron 2957U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2450M
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2957U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2450M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2450M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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 Core i5-2450M and Celeron 2957U
Core i5-2450M
The Core i5-2450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $823.
Celeron 2957U
The Celeron 2957U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,077 points. Launch price was $107.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 2957U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2450M versus 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U — a 75.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2450M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-2450M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 2957U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2450M scores 2,076 against the Celeron 2957U's 2,077 — a 0% lead for the Celeron 2957U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 453 vs 284, a 45.9% lead for the Core i5-2450M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2450M vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U.
| Feature | Core i5-2450M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+121% | 1.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+79% | 1.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,076 | 2,077 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 1,352 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 453+60% | 284 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 871 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 2957U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2450M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2957U — the Core i5-2450M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2450M) vs 10 (Celeron 2957U) — the Core i5-2450M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2450M) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U).
| Feature | Core i5-2450M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+60% | 10 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-2450M) vs VT-x (Celeron 2957U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2450M) and HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2957U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2957U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2450M rivals AMD A8-3500M; Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U.
| Feature | Core i5-2450M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | HD Graphics (Haswell) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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