Atom D2500 vs Pentium M 780

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 D2500 vs Pentium M 780 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 D2500 vs Pentium M 780: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom D2500

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 10W instead of 27W, a 17W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3600, while Pentium M 780 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Pentium M 780 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium M 780

2005

Why buy it

✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom D2500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (575 vs 605).
❌170% higher power demand at 27W vs 10W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom D2500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom D2500 better than Pentium M 780?

Yes. Atom D2500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 5.2% 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 D2500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.9% 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 D2500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Atom D2500 is the better buy right now. Atom D2500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $42 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Atom D2500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom D2500 vs Pentium M 780 Technical Specifications

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

Atom D2500

The Atom D2500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 605 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium M 780

The Pentium M 780 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Dothan (2004−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 27 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 575 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom D2500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium M 780 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Atom D2500 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Atom D2500 versus 0.03 GHz on the Pentium M 780 — a 193.7% clock advantage for the Atom D2500 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Atom D2500 uses the Cedarview (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium M 780 uses Dothan (2004−2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Atom D2500 scores 605 against the Pentium M 780's 575 — a 5.1% lead for the Atom D2500. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom D2500	Pentium M 780
Cores / Threads	2 / 2+100%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	1.87 GHz+6133%	0.03 GHz
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.26 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB
Process	32 nm-64%	90 nm
Architecture	Cedarview (2011−2012)	Dothan (2004−2005)
PassMark	605+5%	575

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Memory & Platform

The Atom D2500 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium M 780 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Atom D2500 versus DDR2-533 on the Pentium M 780 — the Atom D2500 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (Atom D2500) vs 2 (Pentium M 780). PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom D2500) vs 16 (Pentium M 780) — the Pentium M 780 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA559 (Atom D2500) and 915GM,945GT (Pentium M 780).

Feature	Atom D2500	Pentium M 780
Socket	FCBGA559	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066+100%	DDR2-533
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom D2500) / false (Pentium M 780). The Atom D2500 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3600), while the Pentium M 780 requires a dedicated GPU.