Atom N2600 vs Core i5-4210Y

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 N2600 vs Core i5-4210Y 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 N2600 vs Core i5-4210Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom N2600

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,528 vs 1,530).

Core i5-4210Y

2013

Why buy it

✅200% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌12700% higher power demand at 512W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4210Y better than Atom N2600?

Yes. Core i5-4210Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 i5-4210Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4210Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4210Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4210Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-4210Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and 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 N2600 vs Core i5-4210Y Technical Specifications

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

Atom N2600

The Atom N2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 3.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,528 points. Launch price was $47.

Core i5-4210Y

The Core i5-4210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,530 points. Launch price was $297.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom N2600 and Core i5-4210Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Atom N2600 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-4210Y — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-4210Y (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Atom N2600 uses the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4210Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N2600 scores 1,528 against the Core i5-4210Y's 1,530 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-4210Y. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N2600 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4210Y.

Feature	Atom N2600	Core i5-4210Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	1.9 GHz+19%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+7%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512 kB
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Cedarview-M (2011−2012)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,528	1,530
Geekbench 6 Single	—	580

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Memory & Platform

The Atom N2600 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4210Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Atom N2600 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4210Y — the Core i5-4210Y supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-4210Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N2600) vs 2 (Core i5-4210Y). PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom N2600) vs 12 (Core i5-4210Y) — the Core i5-4210Y offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N2600) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210Y).

Feature	Atom N2600	Core i5-4210Y
Socket	FCBGA559	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	DDR3L-1600+100%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	16 GB+700%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	12+200%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N2600) / VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210Y). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3600 (Atom N2600) and HD Graphics 4200 (Core i5-4210Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210Y rivals A4-6210.