Atom 230 vs Atom E660

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.

Atom 230 vs Atom E660 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.

Atom 230 vs Atom E660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom 230

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom E660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (248 vs 275).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 4W vs 3W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom E660 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Atom E660

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 3W instead of 4W, a 1W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 600, while Atom 230 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom E660 better than Atom 230?

Yes. Atom E660 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 10.9% 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 E660 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.7% 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 E660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.9% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.

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

Atom E660 still makes the most sense overall. Atom E660 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom E660 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom 230 vs Atom E660 Technical Specifications

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

Atom 230

The Atom 230 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA437. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 248 points. Launch price was $29.

Atom E660

The Atom E660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Tunnel Creek (2010) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA676. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 275 points. Launch price was $54.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom 230 and Atom E660 share an identical 1-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Atom 230 versus 1.3 GHz on the Atom E660 — a 171.4% clock advantage for the Atom E660. The Atom 230 uses the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom E660 uses Tunnel Creek (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom 230 scores 248 against the Atom E660's 275 — a 10.3% lead for the Atom E660. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom 230	Atom E660
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	1 / 2
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz	1.3 GHz+1200%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Silverthorne (2008−2010)	Tunnel Creek (2010)
PassMark	248	275+11%

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Memory & Platform

The Atom 230 uses the PBGA437 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom E660 uses BGA676 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-533 on the Atom 230 versus DDR2-800 on the Atom E660 — the Atom E660 supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 2 GB of RAM. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom 230) vs 4 (Atom E660) — the Atom E660 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA437 (Atom 230) and Intel FCBGA518 (Atom E660).