Atom D525 vs Core i5-520M

Atom D525

2 Cores4 Thrd13 WWMax: 1.83 GHz2010

Core i5-520M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Atom D525

2 / 4

1,707

0.0%

1,727

+1.2%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Atom D525 is positioned at rank 31 and the Core i5-520M is on rank 1139, so the Atom D525 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Atom D525

#19

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#20

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#21

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#22

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#23

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#25

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#26

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#27

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#28

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

100%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

98%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

91%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

90%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-520M

#1127

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3820%

#1128

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3764%

#1129

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3456%

#1130

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3440%

#1131

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3409%

#1133

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3292%

#1134

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3156%

#1135

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3151%

#1136

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3066%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

99%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

99%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

99%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

99%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

99%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

98%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

97%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

96%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

96%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

95%

#1154

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-520M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Atom D525 in both compute-intensive tasks (1.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Atom D525	Core i5-520M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($63)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Pinetrail (2009−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Atom D525 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $63 (vs $225), it costs 72% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 253% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-520M.

Insight	Atom D525	Core i5-520M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+253%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($63)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Atom D525 Benchmark Check

Core i5-520M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom D525 and Core i5-520M

Atom D525

The Atom D525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,707 points. Launch price was $63.

Core i5-520M

The Core i5-520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,727 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Atom D525 and Core i5-520M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Atom D525 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-520M — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-520M (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Atom D525 uses the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-520M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom D525 scores 1,707 against the Core i5-520M's 1,727 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-520M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom D525 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-520M.

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-520M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	2.93 GHz+60%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.4 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512 kB
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Pinetrail (2009−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,707	1,727+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	360
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	695

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom D525 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Atom D525 versus 1066 on the Core i5-520M — the Core i5-520M supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-520M supports up to 8 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom D525) vs 2 (Core i5-520M). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom D525) vs 16 (Core i5-520M) — the Core i5-520M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom D525) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-520M).

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-520M
Socket	FCBGA559	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	1066+35433%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB+52428700%	8
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom D525) / true (Core i5-520M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3150 (Atom D525) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-520M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-520M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.