Core i5-450M
VS
Celeron 1020M

Core i5-450M vs Celeron 1020M

Intel

Core i5-450M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.66 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Celeron 1020M

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2013

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 Celeron 1020M is on rank 170, so the Core i5-450M 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 Core i5-450M

#4
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
116%
#5
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
114%
#6
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
105%
#7
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
105%
#8
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
104%
#10
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
100%
#11
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
96%
#12
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
96%
#13
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
93%
#17
Core i3-350M
MSRP: $130|Avg: $10
86%
#18
Atom x5-E8000
MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A
85%
#19
Core 2 Duo T5900
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
84%
#22
Core i3-3130M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
75%
#23
Core 2 Duo T5550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
72%
#24
Core 2 Duo T7100
MSRP: $197|Avg: $15
72%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 1020M

#158
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
345%
#159
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
340%
#160
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
312%
#161
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
311%
#162
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
308%
#164
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
297%
#165
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
285%
#166
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
285%
#167
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
277%
#170
Celeron 1020M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#173
Celeron N3060
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
99%
#176
Core 2 Duo T9300
MSRP: $316|Avg: $20
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-450M leads in gaming performance. However, the Celeron 1020M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.9% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i5-450MCeleron 1020M
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i5-450MCeleron 1020M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)
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 Core i5-450M and Celeron 1020M

Intel

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.

Intel

Celeron 1020M

The Celeron 1020M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $86.

Processing Power

The Core i5-450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 1020M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M versus 2.1 GHz on the Celeron 1020M — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-450M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 1020M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-450M scores 1,264 against the Celeron 1020M's 1,275 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron 1020M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 1020M.

FeatureCore i5-450MCeleron 1020M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.66 GHz+27%
2.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+14%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)+50%
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,264
1,275
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i5-450M versus DDR3-1600 on the Celeron 1020M — the Core i5-450M supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 1020M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M) and HM77,HM76,HM75 (Celeron 1020M).

FeatureCore i5-450MCeleron 1020M
Socket
PGA988
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
1066+35433%
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
8
32 GB+419430300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-450M) vs VT-x (Celeron 1020M). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-450M) and HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron 1020M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 1020M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620; Celeron 1020M rivals Pentium 2020M.

FeatureCore i5-450MCeleron 1020M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x
Target Use
Budget