Core i5-540UM vs Celeron P4600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-540UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2 GHz2010

Celeron P4600

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-540UM

2 / 4

1,002

+3.8%

965

0.0%

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 i5-540UM is positioned at rank 1081 and the Celeron P4600 is on rank 1050, so the Celeron P4600 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 i5-540UM

#1068

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2928%

#1069

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2885%

#1070

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2649%

#1071

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2637%

#1072

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2613%

#1074

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2523%

#1075

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2419%

#1076

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2415%

#1077

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2350%

#1080

A6-7000

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

100%

#1081

Core i5-540UM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1082

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1083

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

99%

#1088

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

96%

#1089

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1091

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

95%

#1092

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

95%

#1093

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1095

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron P4600

#1038

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2615%

#1039

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2577%

#1040

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2365%

#1041

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2355%

#1042

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2333%

#1044

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2253%

#1045

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2160%

#1046

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2157%

#1047

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2099%

#1050

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

100%

#1051

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1052

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

99%

#1053

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

98%

#1054

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

98%

#1056

Athlon X2 QL-65

MSRP: $150|Avg: $22

97%

#1057

Pentium J2850

MSRP: $94|Avg: $94

96%

#1058

Core i7-4900MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $40

96%

#1059

Pentium Dual Core T2370

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

95%

#1060

Celeron P4505

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

95%

#1061

Pentium T4200

MSRP: $99|Avg: $10

95%

#1062

Core i7-2720QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

95%

#1063

Pentium 2020M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

94%

#1064

Celeron P4500

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

94%

#1065

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-540UM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Celeron P4600 in both compute-intensive tasks (3.8% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-540UM	Celeron P4600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Westmere (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-540UM	Celeron P4600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($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.

Core i5-540UM Benchmark Check

Celeron P4600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-540UM and Celeron P4600

Core i5-540UM

The Core i5-540UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $250.

Celeron P4600

The Celeron P4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 965 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-540UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron P4600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i5-540UM versus 0.1 GHz on the Celeron P4600 — a 181% clock advantage for the Core i5-540UM (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-540UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron P4600 uses Westmere (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-540UM scores 1,002 against the Celeron P4600's 965 — a 3.8% lead for the Core i5-540UM. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-540UM vs 2 MB on the Celeron P4600.

Feature	Core i5-540UM	Celeron P4600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz+1900%	0.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Westmere (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,002+4%	965

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-540UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron P4600 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 800 on the Core i5-540UM versus 1066 on the Celeron P4600 — the Celeron P4600 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-540UM) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Celeron P4600).

Feature	Core i5-540UM	Celeron P4600
Socket	BGA1288	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	800	1066+33%
Max RAM Capacity	8	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-540UM) and Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Celeron P4600) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-540UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400; Celeron P4600 rivals Pentium P6000.