Core i5-450M vs Pentium G6950

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.

Core i5-450M vs Pentium G6950 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-450M vs Pentium G6950: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-450M

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $55 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
✅Delivers 174.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.5 vs 14.4 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 73W, a 38W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium G6950

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-450M across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,252 vs 1,264).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.4 vs 39.5 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
❌108.6% higher power demand at 73W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-450M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-450M better than Pentium G6950?

Yes. Core i5-450M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-450M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% more average FPS across 34 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-450M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-450M is the better buy right now. Core i5-450M comes in $55 cheaper on MSRP at $32 MSRP versus $87 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 174.5% better value on MSRP (39.5 vs 14.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-450M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-450M vs Pentium G6950 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Pentium G6950

The Pentium G6950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,252 points. Launch price was $60.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G6950's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G6950 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Pentium G6950 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-450M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G6950 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-450M scores 1,264 against the Pentium G6950's 1,252 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-450M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-450M	Pentium G6950
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.66 GHz	2.8 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,264	1,252

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G6950 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-450M	Pentium G6950
Socket	PGA988	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-450M) / not specified (Pentium G6950). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium G6950 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Core i5-450M	Pentium G6950
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-450M was priced at $32, while the Pentium G6950 came in at $87. On launch pricing ($32 vs $87), Core i5-450M was $55 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-450M delivers 39.5 pts/$ vs 14.4 pts/$ for the Pentium G6950 — making the Core i5-450M the 93.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-450M	Pentium G6950
MSRP	$32-63%	$87
Performance per Dollar	39.5+174%	14.4
Release Date	2010	2010

Search Core i5-450M on Amazon

Search Pentium G6950 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.