Atom D525 vs Core i5-520M

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 D525 vs Core i5-520M 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 D525 vs Core i5-520M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom D525

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $162 less on MSRP ($63 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 253.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.1 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($63 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 13W instead of 35W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,707 vs 1,727).

Core i5-520M

2010

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 27.1 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $63 MSRP).
❌169.2% higher power demand at 35W vs 13W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-520M better than Atom D525?

Yes. Core i5-520M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% 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, Core i5-520M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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, Core i5-520M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-520M is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-520M comes in 257.1% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $63 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom D525 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.

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

Core i5-520M 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 D525 vs Core i5-520M Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-520M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% 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+33%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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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.

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-520M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel GMA 3150	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom D525 was priced at $63, while the Core i5-520M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($63 vs $225), Atom D525 was $162 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom D525 delivers 27.1 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-520M — making the Atom D525 the 111.7% better value option.

Feature	Atom D525	Core i5-520M
MSRP	$63-72%	$225
Performance per Dollar	27.1+252%	7.7
Release Date	2010	2010

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