Pentium J2900
VS
Core i5-450M

Pentium J2900 vs Core i5-450M

Intel

Pentium J2900

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.66 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Core i5-450M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.66 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 Pentium J2900 is positioned at rank 1013 and the Core i5-450M is on rank 10, 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 Pentium J2900

#1001
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2199%
#1002
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2167%
#1003
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1990%
#1004
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1981%
#1005
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1962%
#1007
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1895%
#1008
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1817%
#1009
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1814%
#1010
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1765%
#1013
Pentium J2900
MSRP: $94|Avg: $20
100%
#1014
Celeron T1700
MSRP: $80|Avg: $5
99%
#1015
Celeron T3500
MSRP: $80|Avg: $10
99%
#1016
A12-9720P
MSRP: $200|Avg: $25
98%
#1017
Core i5-4300M
MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A
98%
#1018
Celeron 1005M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
97%
#1019
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
97%
#1020
Athlon Neo MV-40
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
96%
#1021
Core i7-4860EQ
MSRP: $434|Avg: $80
95%
#1022
Pentium SU2700
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
95%
#1023
A4-1250
MSRP: $100|Avg: $30
94%
#1025
Core i5-4200M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
94%
#1026
Celeron 1000M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
93%
#1028
Celeron B840
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Core i5-450M shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.
InsightPentium J2900Core i5-450M
Gaming
Balanced gaming performance
Balanced gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($20)
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-D (2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Pentium J2900 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $20 (vs $31), it costs 35% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 54% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-450M.
InsightPentium J2900Core i5-450M
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+54%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($20)
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)

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 Pentium J2900 and Core i5-450M

Intel

Pentium J2900

The Pentium J2900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,254 points. Launch price was $94.

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.

Processing Power

The Pentium J2900 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-450M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium J2900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Pentium J2900 versus 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.41 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Pentium J2900 uses the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-450M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium J2900 scores 1,254 against the Core i5-450M's 1,264 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-450M. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium J2900 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M.

FeaturePentium J2900Core i5-450M
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.66 GHz
2.66 GHz
Base Clock
2.41 GHz
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB L2 Cache
3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
2 MB+700%
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Bay Trail-D (2013)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,254
1,264
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium J2900 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium J2900Core i5-450M
Socket
FCBGA1170
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
1066
Max RAM Capacity
8
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium J2900) / true (Core i5-450M). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium J2900 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

FeaturePentium J2900Core i5-450M
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium J2900 launched at $94 MSRP, while the Core i5-450M debuted at $32. At current prices ($20 vs $31), the Pentium J2900 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium J2900 delivers 62.7 pts/$ vs 40.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-450M — making the Pentium J2900 the 42.4% better value option.

FeaturePentium J2900Core i5-450M
MSRP
$94
$32-66%
Avg Price (30d)
$20-35%
$31
Performance per Dollar
62.7+54%
40.8
Release Date
2013
2010