Core i5-450M
VS
Celeron Dual-Core T3500

Core i5-450M vs Celeron Dual-Core T3500

Intel

Core i5-450M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.66 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Celeron Dual-Core T3500

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.1 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 Core i5-450M is positioned at rank 10 and the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 is on rank 959, 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 Dual-Core T3500

#947
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1841%
#948
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1814%
#949
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1665%
#950
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1657%
#951
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1642%
#953
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1586%
#954
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1521%
#955
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1518%
#956
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1477%
#959
Celeron Dual-Core T3500
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
100%
#960
Celeron 4305UE
MSRP: $107|Avg: $107
100%
#963
Core i7-10510U
MSRP: $409|Avg: N/A
98%
#968
Core i7-4710MQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $378
96%
#970
Celeron T3100
MSRP: $62|Avg: $62
96%
#971
Core i7-4800MQ
MSRP: $380|Avg: $378
95%
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 Dual-Core T3500 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.9% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i5-450MCeleron Dual-Core T3500
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)
More affordable ($15)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 52% cheaper ($15 vs $31) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i5-450MCeleron Dual-Core T3500
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+108%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)
More affordable ($15)

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 Dual-Core T3500

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 Dual-Core T3500

The Celeron Dual-Core T3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $80.

Processing Power

The Core i5-450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron Dual-Core T3500's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M versus 2.1 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M. The Core i5-450M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-450M scores 1,264 against the Celeron Dual-Core T3500's 1,275 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron Dual-Core T3500.

FeatureCore i5-450MCeleron Dual-Core T3500
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.66 GHz+27%
2.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1 MB+300%
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark
1,264
1,275
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i5-450M versus 800 on the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 — the Core i5-450M 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-450M) vs 0 (Celeron Dual-Core T3500) — the Core i5-450M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M) and GL40,GM45,GM47 (Celeron Dual-Core T3500).

FeatureCore i5-450MCeleron Dual-Core T3500
Socket
PGA988
P
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
1066+33%
800
Max RAM Capacity
8
8
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-450M) vs false (Celeron Dual-Core T3500). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T3500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620; Celeron Dual-Core T3500 rivals Pentium T4400.

FeatureCore i5-450MCeleron Dual-Core T3500
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
false
Target Use
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-450M launched at $32 MSRP, while the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 debuted at $80. At current prices ($31 vs $15), the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 is $16 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-450M delivers 40.8 pts/$ vs 85.0 pts/$ for the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 — making the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 the 70.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-450MCeleron Dual-Core T3500
MSRP
$32-60%
$80
Avg Price (30d)
$31
$15-52%
Performance per Dollar
40.8
85.0+108%
Release Date
2010
2010