Atom N270
VS
Atom N280

Atom N270 vs Atom N280

Intel

Atom N270

1 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Atom N280

1 Cores2 Thrd2.5 WWMax: 0.07 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 N270 is positioned at rank 411 and the Atom N280 is on rank 367, so the Atom N280 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 N270

#124
Core i5-1240P
MSRP: $309|Avg: $200
99%
#125
Core i7-13700H
MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A
98%
#399
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
554%
#400
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
545%
#401
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
501%
#402
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
498%
#403
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
494%
#405
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
477%
#406
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
457%
#407
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
457%
#408
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
444%
#411
Atom N270
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#421
Core i5-9400H
MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A
98%
#426
Celeron 2981U
MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom N280

#111
Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $180
100%
#355
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
515%
#356
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
507%
#357
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
466%
#358
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
464%
#359
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
459%
#361
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
444%
#362
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
425%
#363
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
425%
#364
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
413%
#367
Atom N280
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#375
Pentium Dual Core T3200
MSRP: $64|Avg: $5
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Atom N270 leads in gaming performance. However, the Atom N280 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 7.3% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightAtom N270Atom N280
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (DiamondVille (2008−2009) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (DiamondVille (2008−2009) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightAtom N270Atom N280
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom N270 and Atom N280

Intel

Atom N270

The Atom N270 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the DiamondVille (2008−2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA437. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 265 points. Launch price was $44.

Intel

Atom N280

The Atom N280 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the DiamondVille (2008−2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA437. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 285 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Atom N270 and Atom N280 share an identical 1-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Atom N270 versus 0.07 GHz on the Atom N280 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Atom N270 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.66 GHz). Both are built on the DiamondVille (2008−2009) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Atom N270 scores 265 against the Atom N280's 285 — a 7.3% lead for the Atom N280. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAtom N270Atom N280
Cores / Threads
1 / 2
1 / 2
Boost Clock
0.1 GHz+43%
0.07 GHz
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
1.66 GHz+4%
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB
Process
45 nm
45 nm
Architecture
DiamondVille (2008−2009)
DiamondVille (2008−2009)
PassMark
265
285+8%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PBGA437 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR2-533 memory speed. Both support up to 2 GB of RAM. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel PBGA437 (Atom N270) and Intel PBGA437 (Atom N280).

FeatureAtom N270Atom N280
Socket
PBGA437
PBGA437
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-533
DDR2-533
Max RAM Capacity
2 GB
2 GB
RAM Channels
1
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
0