Atom 230 vs Atom Z520

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 Z520 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 Z520: 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

✅Better for gaming: +20.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌100% higher power demand at 4W vs 2W.

Atom Z520

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 4W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom 230 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (215 vs 248).

Quick Answers

So, is Atom 230 better than Atom Z520?

Yes. Atom 230 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15.3% 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 230 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.0% 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 230 is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.3% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.

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

Atom 230 still makes the most sense overall. Atom 230 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom 230 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 Z520 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 Z520

The Atom Z520 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 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA441. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 215 points. Launch price was $65.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom 230 and Atom Z520 share an identical 1-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Atom 230 versus 0.03 GHz on the Atom Z520 — a 107.7% clock advantage for the Atom 230 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). Both are built on the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Atom 230 scores 248 against the Atom Z520's 215 — a 14.3% lead for the Atom 230. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom 230	Atom Z520
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	1 / 2
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz+233%	0.03 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+20%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Silverthorne (2008−2010)	Silverthorne (2008−2010)
PassMark	248+15%	215

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Memory & Platform

The Atom 230 uses the PBGA437 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom Z520 uses PBGA441 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR2-533 memory speed. Both support up to 2 GB of RAM. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA437 (Atom 230) and Intel US15W (Atom Z520).