Athlon II X2 245 vs Atom x5-Z8550

Athlon II X2 245 vs Atom x5-Z8550 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 245

2 / 2

1,134

0.0%

Mobile Athlon 64 3700+

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom x5-Z8550

4 / 4

1,143

+0.8%

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.

Athlon II X2 245 vs Atom x5-Z8550 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.

Athlon II X2 245 vs Atom x5-Z8550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon II X2 245

2009

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Atom x5-Z8550.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-Z8550 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,134 vs 1,143).
❌Launch MSRP is still $66 MSRP, while Atom x5-Z8550 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8550 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Atom x5-Z8550

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Athlon II X2 245 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 245.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-Z8550 better than Athlon II X2 245?

Yes. Atom x5-Z8550 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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, Atom x5-Z8550 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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, Atom x5-Z8550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom x5-Z8550 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom x5-Z8550 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $66 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X2 245 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

Atom x5-Z8550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X2 245 vs Atom x5-Z8550 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X2 245

The Athlon II X2 245 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 July 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,134 points. Launch price was $35.

Atom x5-Z8550

The Atom x5-Z8550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,143 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 245 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8550 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Athlon II X2 245 versus 2.4 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8550 — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 245 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Athlon II X2 245 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8550 uses Cherry Trail (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 245 scores 1,134 against the Atom x5-Z8550's 1,143 — a 0.8% lead for the Atom x5-Z8550. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon II X2 245	Atom x5-Z8550
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+21%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+101%	1.44 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,134	1,143

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 245 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom x5-Z8550 uses UTFCBGA1380 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 245 versus LPDDR3-1600 on the Atom x5-Z8550 — the Atom x5-Z8550 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 245 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 245) vs 2 (Atom x5-Z8550) — the Atom x5-Z8550 offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 245) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8550).

Feature	Athlon II X2 245	Atom x5-Z8550
Socket	AM3	UTFCBGA1380
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333	LPDDR3-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	2

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Athlon II X2 245) / not specified (Atom x5-Z8550). The Atom x5-Z8550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)), while the Athlon II X2 245 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 245 rivals Pentium E5500.