A8-5600K vs Atom Z3735G

A8-5600K vs Atom Z3735G Performance Spectrum

A8-5600K

4 / 4

2,860

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom Z3735G

4 / 4

2,891

+1.1%

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.

A8-5600K vs Atom Z3735G 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.

A8-5600K vs Atom Z3735G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-5600K

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Atom Z3735G.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,860 vs 2,891).
❌4900% higher power demand at 100W vs 2W.

Atom Z3735G

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 100W, a 98W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-5600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $17 MSRP, while A8-5600K mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-5600K.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z3735G better than A8-5600K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-5600K is ahead with a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z3735G pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z3735G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom Z3735G is the better buy right now. Atom Z3735G comes in at an unclear MSRP at $17 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that A8-5600K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (170.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Atom Z3735G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-5600K vs Atom Z3735G Technical Specifications

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

A8-5600K

The A8-5600K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,860 points. Launch price was $90.

Atom Z3735G

The Atom Z3735G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,891 points. Launch price was $17.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the A8-5600K and Atom Z3735G share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the A8-5600K versus 1.83 GHz on the Atom Z3735G — a 72.3% clock advantage for the A8-5600K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The A8-5600K uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom Z3735G uses Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5600K scores 2,860 against the Atom Z3735G's 2,891 — a 1.1% lead for the Atom Z3735G. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5600K vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Atom Z3735G.

Feature	A8-5600K	Atom Z3735G
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+113%	1.83 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+171%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB+100%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)
PassMark	2,860	2,891+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-5600K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom Z3735G uses UTFCBGA592 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1866 on the A8-5600K versus DDR3L-RS 1333 on the Atom Z3735G — the A8-5600K supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-5600K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 1 GB — 6300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (A8-5600K) vs 1 (Atom Z3735G). PCIe lanes: 16 (A8-5600K) vs 0 (Atom Z3735G) — the A8-5600K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FM2 (A8-5600K) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom Z3735G).

Feature	A8-5600K	Atom Z3735G
Socket	FM2	UTFCBGA592
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1866+40%	DDR3L-RS 1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+6300%	1 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A8-5600K) / not specified (Atom Z3735G). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 7560D (A8-5600K) and Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Atom Z3735G) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-5600K rivals Core i3-3220.