Intel Celeron N4505

The Intel Celeron N4505 is a 2-core, 2-thread Tremont-based mobile processor from the Jasper Lake family, built on Intel's 10 nm process. With a 15th percentile ranking among all CPUs, this is firmly entry-level silicon, but its benchmark results reveal a specific performance profile that suits certain light workloads better than others. The data indicates a part that trades heavily in efficiency, yet its single-thread and multi-thread scores tell different stories about what it can handle.

How It Compares

The N4505 sits in a remarkably tight cluster of legacy and low-end processors. Against the Intel Celeron 4305U, the average benchmark score is identical at 624, showing a 0% delta. This means the two chips are effectively interchangeable in raw throughput, making the choice between them come down to platform features rather than compute capability.

Versus the Intel Celeron G3900, the N4505 trails by a negligible 0.1% in average score (624 vs 624). The G3900 is a desktop part with a different power envelope, yet the performance parity indicates that the N4505's newer architecture compensates for its lower power design, matching an older desktop chip in overall output.

The Intel Core i7-920XM, a 2009-era mobile flagship, is 0.1% slower than the N4505 (623 vs 624). This is a notable result—a modern low-end Celeron edges out a former top-tier extreme edition processor in aggregate benchmarks, underscoring how far efficiency-focused architectures have come in raw performance per clock.

Finally, the Intel Core i5-2450M leads the N4505 by only 0.2% (625 vs 624). That Sandy Bridge-era dual-core was a mainstream workhorse for years, and the N4505 lands within a hair of it. The practical takeaway is that this Celeron is not dramatically behind a mid-range laptop CPU from a decade ago, but it also brings no meaningful generational leap in overall speed.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The N4505's benchmark split is stark. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 256, while the multi-core score is 1815. The multi-core figure is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score, which is far higher than the 2-thread theoretical maximum would suggest. This indicates that the multi-core test is not scaling efficiently—the chip's dual threads cannot fully utilize the workload, and the single-core score is the more representative metric for most real tasks.

In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 107, with a multi-core score of 762—a ratio of about 7.1 as well. Consistently, the multi-core results are disproportionately high relative to the thread count, which points to thermal or power limitations during sustained all-core loads. The 2.00 GHz base clock and 2.90 GHz boost clock mean the chip can briefly spike, but the Tremont architecture's focus on efficiency over brute force becomes evident in these numbers.

For real workloads, this split means the N4505 excels at bursty, single-threaded tasks like basic web browsing, document editing, or light scripting. Multi-threaded applications—video encoding, large compiles, or heavy spreadsheet calculations—will not see meaningful gains from the second thread, and the chip will struggle to maintain peak clocks under sustained load. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 182 reinforces this: it is a low absolute number, placing the chip firmly in the realm of casual use, not productivity.

Power and Thermals

The N4505 carries a 10 W TDP, placing it in the ultra-low-power class typically found in fanless mini-PCs, thin-and-light notebooks, and embedded systems. This is a dramatic departure from the desktop Celerons of the past, which often consumed 35 W or more. The 10 nm process and Tremont architecture are designed for this power envelope, so the chip can run on passive cooling solutions in many chassis.

The thermal implications are straightforward: a small heatsink or a low-profile fan is sufficient. Benchmark data shows that the chip does not sustain high clocks under multi-threaded loads, which is consistent with a 10 W part that throttles to manage heat. For builders, this means no exotic cooling is required—any standard low-profile cooler designed for embedded or mini-ITX platforms will handle it. The lack of a multiplier unlock further signals that this is a fixed-function part, not one intended for overclocking or enthusiast tuning.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Celeron N4505 faster than the Intel Celeron G3900?

A: No, they are effectively tied. The N4505's average benchmark score is 624, while the G3900's is also 624, with a delta of -0.1%, meaning the G3900 is marginally faster.

Q: What is the N4505's single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 256, which is a low figure but adequate for basic single-threaded tasks like web browsing and office work.

Q: How does the N4505 compare to the Intel Core i7-920XM?

A: The N4505 is 0.1% faster in average benchmark score (624 vs 623). Despite the i7-920XM being a former flagship, the N4505 edges it out in aggregate throughput.

Q: Does the N4505 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The chip supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of the N4505?

A: The boost clock is 2.90 GHz, up from a 2.00 GHz base clock, allowing for short bursts of higher performance.

Q: What is the N4505's production status?

A: The processor is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in active production and is being phased out of new designs.

Who Should Consider It

The N4505 is a niche part for specific, low-stakes scenarios. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1815 and single-core score of 256 indicate that it is not suitable for content creation, 3D rendering, or any sustained multi-threaded workload. Video editors, 3D modelers, or developers compiling large codebases will find the chip severely limiting.

For general office use—word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web-based applications—the N4505 is adequate, provided the user has modest expectations. The single-core performance is enough for responsive UI interactions and light multitasking, but heavy browser tabs or background tasks will cause slowdowns.

Gaming is largely out of the question for modern titles, as the integrated UHD Graphics 16EU is a minimal solution. Casual 2D games or older titles might run, but the CPU's low multi-thread score will bottleneck any demanding game. The chip is best suited for a lightweight NAS, a firewall appliance, a thin client, or a basic home server where power efficiency is paramount and compute demands are minimal. The parity with the Core i5-2450M means it can handle what a 2011-era mainstream laptop could, but nothing beyond that.

Platform and Compatibility

The N4505 uses the Intel BGA 1338 socket, which means it is soldered to the motherboard—there is no upgrade path for the CPU itself. This is a mobile/embedded part, so builders must select a board or system that already includes it. The platform supports dual-channel DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory, with a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, which is modest but sufficient for the chip's capabilities.

PCIe connectivity is limited to Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. This is enough for a single NVMe SSD or a low-end discrete GPU, but it restricts expansion options. The integrated UHD Graphics 16EU handles display output, so a dedicated GPU is optional for basic systems. The 10 W TDP and BGA form factor mean this is not a DIY socketed platform; it is intended for OEM designs like mini-PCs or embedded boards. The end-of-life status further limits future availability, so buyers should plan for the platform as-is, with no CPU swapping or multi-generational support. Memory overclocking is not a consideration, as the multiplier is locked and the platform is designed for stability over performance.