Atom D2700 vs Core i5-2537M

Intel

Atom D2700

2 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 0.13 GHz2011
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Core i5-2537M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2011
Similar parts
·······

Atom D2700 vs Core i5-2537M Performance Spectrum

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.

Atom D2700 vs Core i5-2537M 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 D2700 vs Core i5-2537M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom D2700

2011

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 10W instead of 17W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-2537M

2011

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,144 vs 1,148).
  • Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Atom D2700 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 70% higher power demand at 17W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom D2700 better than Core i5-2537M?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2537M is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom D2700 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom D2700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Atom D2700 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Atom D2700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Core i5-2537M only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.9% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Atom D2700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom D2700 vs Core i5-2537M Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Atom D2700

The Atom D2700 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 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: 1,148 points. Launch price was $52.

Intel

Core i5-2537M

The Core i5-2537M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $250.

Processing Power

Both the Atom D2700 and Core i5-2537M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.13 GHz on the Atom D2700 versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-2537M — a 178.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2537M (base: 2.13 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Atom D2700 uses the Cedarview (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-2537M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom D2700 scores 1,148 against the Core i5-2537M's 1,144 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom D2700. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom D2700 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2537M.

FeatureAtom D2700Core i5-2537M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
0.13 GHz
2.3 GHz+1669%
Base Clock
2.13 GHz+52%
1.4 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Cedarview (2011−2012)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,148
1,144
Geekbench 6 Single
427
Geekbench 6 Multi
717
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom D2700 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2537M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Atom D2700 versus 1333 on the Core i5-2537M — the Core i5-2537M supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2537M supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom D2700) vs 2 (Core i5-2537M). PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom D2700) vs 16 (Core i5-2537M) — the Core i5-2537M offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA559 (Atom D2700) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS57,QS67,UM67 (Core i5-2537M).

FeatureAtom D2700Core i5-2537M
Socket
FCBGA559
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity
4 GB
16 GB+300%
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
4
16+300%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom D2700) / true (Core i5-2537M). Both include integrated graphics Intel GMA 3650 (Atom D2700) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2537M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2537M rivals Core i5-2410M.

FeatureAtom D2700Core i5-2537M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel GMA 3650
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true