CPU
GPU
A6-3500
Atom N550
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 A6-3500 is positioned at rank 707 and the Atom N550 is on rank 618, so the Atom N550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A6-3500
Performance Per Dollar Atom N550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A6-3500 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Pineview (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A6-3500 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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 A6-3500 and Atom N550
A6-3500
The A6-3500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,439 points. Launch price was $70.
Atom N550
The Atom N550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,435 points. Launch price was $86.
Processing Power
The A6-3500 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Atom N550 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A6-3500 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-3500 versus 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the A6-3500 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The A6-3500 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom N550 uses Pineview (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3500 scores 1,439 against the Atom N550's 1,435 — a 0.3% lead for the A6-3500. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | A6-3500 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz+60% | 1.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz+40% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Pineview (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,439 | 1,435 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 265 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A6-3500 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom N550 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1866 memory speed. The A6-3500 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (A6-3500) vs 1 (Atom N550). PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-3500) vs 0 (Atom N550) — the A6-3500 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75 (A6-3500) and Intel NM10 (Atom N550).
| Feature | A6-3500 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | FCBGA559 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR3-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+700% | 2 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A6-3500) / not specified (Atom N550). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6530D (A6-3500) and Intel GMA 3150 (Atom N550) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3500 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A6-3500 rivals Pentium G620.
| Feature | A6-3500 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6530D | Intel GMA 3150 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Budget Desktop | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on A6-3500 and Atom N550
