Core i5-450M vs Athlon Neo MV-40
Core i5-450M
Athlon Neo MV-40
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 i5-450M is positioned at rank 10 and the Athlon Neo MV-40 is on rank 1020, so the Core i5-450M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-450M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon Neo MV-40
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-450M | Athlon Neo MV-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($31) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Huron (2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-450M | Athlon Neo MV-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+525%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($31) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
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 i5-450M and Athlon Neo MV-40
Core i5-450M
The Core i5-450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 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: 1,264 points. Launch price was $32.
Athlon Neo MV-40
The Athlon Neo MV-40 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Huron (2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: ASB1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,274 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon Neo MV-40 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Core i5-450M has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M versus 1.6 GHz on the Athlon Neo MV-40 — a 49.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M. The Core i5-450M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon Neo MV-40 uses Huron (2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-450M scores 1,264 against the Athlon Neo MV-40's 1,274 — a 0.8% lead for the Athlon Neo MV-40.
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Athlon Neo MV-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4+100% | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 2.66 GHz+66% | 1.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Huron (2009) |
| PassMark | 1,264 | 1,274 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon Neo MV-40 uses ASB1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i5-450M versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon Neo MV-40 — the Core i5-450M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-450M supports up to 8 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-450M) vs 0 (Athlon Neo MV-40) — the Core i5-450M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M) and AMD ASB1 (Athlon Neo MV-40).
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Athlon Neo MV-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | ASB1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+53200% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 4 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-450M) / not specified (Athlon Neo MV-40). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon Neo MV-40 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Athlon Neo MV-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-450M launched at $32 MSRP, while the Athlon Neo MV-40 debuted at $100. At current prices ($31 vs $5), the Athlon Neo MV-40 is $26 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-450M delivers 40.8 pts/$ vs 254.8 pts/$ for the Athlon Neo MV-40 — making the Athlon Neo MV-40 the 144.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Athlon Neo MV-40 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32-68% | $100 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $31 | $5-84% |
| Performance per Dollar | 40.8 | 254.8+525% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2009 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-450M and Athlon Neo MV-40
