A6-8500P vs Atom N550

A6-8500P vs Atom N550 Performance Spectrum

A6-8500P

2 / 2

1,445

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom N550

2 / 4

1,435

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.

A6-8500P vs Atom N550 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.

A6-8500P vs Atom N550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-8500P

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 9W, a 8W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Atom N550 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Atom N550

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,435 vs 1,445).
❌800% higher power demand at 9W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-8500P better than Atom N550?

Yes. A6-8500P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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, A6-8500P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-8500P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A6-8500P is the better buy right now. A6-8500P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A6-8500P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-8500P vs Atom N550 Technical Specifications

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

A6-8500P

The A6-8500P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,445 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 A6-8500P packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Atom N550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A6-8500P versus 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the A6-8500P (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The A6-8500P uses the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Atom N550 uses Pineview (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-8500P scores 1,445 against the Atom N550's 1,435 — a 0.7% lead for the A6-8500P.

Feature	A6-8500P	Atom N550
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+100%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+7%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1024 kB+100%	512K (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Carrizo (2015−2018)	Pineview (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,445	1,435

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Memory & Platform

The A6-8500P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom N550 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the A6-8500P versus DDR3-667 on the Atom N550 — the A6-8500P supports 139.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-8500P supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (A6-8500P) vs 1 (Atom N550). PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-8500P) vs 0 (Atom N550) — the A6-8500P offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FP4 (A6-8500P) and Intel NM10 (Atom N550).

Feature	A6-8500P	Atom N550
Socket	FP4	FCBGA559
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+140%	DDR3-667
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+700%	2 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A6-8500P) / not specified (Atom N550). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R5 Graphics (A6-8500P) and Intel GMA 3150 (Atom N550) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A6-8500P rivals Pentium 3825U.