Atom N280
VS
Atom E660

Atom N280 vs Atom E660

Intel

Atom N280

1 Cores2 Thrd2.5 WWMax: 0.07 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Atom E660

1 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2010

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 N280 is positioned at rank 367 and the Atom E660 is on rank 743, 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 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 Per Dollar Atom E660

#731
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1067%
#732
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1051%
#733
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
965%
#734
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
961%
#735
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
952%
#737
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
919%
#738
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
881%
#739
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
880%
#740
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
856%
#743
Atom E660
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#744
Pentium 6805
MSRP: $161|Avg: $161
100%
#749
Ryzen 3 7320C
MSRP: $299|Avg: $200
100%
#757
Core i7-11370H
MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Atom E660 leads in gaming performance. However, the Atom N280 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 3.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightAtom N280Atom E660
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (DiamondVille (2008−2009) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Tunnel Creek (2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightAtom N280Atom E660
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 N280 and Atom E660

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.

Intel

Atom E660

The Atom E660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Tunnel Creek (2010) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA676. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 275 points. Launch price was $54.

Processing Power

Both the Atom N280 and Atom E660 share an identical 1-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Atom N280 versus 1.3 GHz on the Atom E660 — a 179.6% clock advantage for the Atom E660. The Atom N280 uses the DiamondVille (2008−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom E660 uses Tunnel Creek (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N280 scores 285 against the Atom E660's 275 — a 3.6% lead for the Atom N280. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAtom N280Atom E660
Cores / Threads
1 / 2
1 / 2
Boost Clock
0.07 GHz
1.3 GHz+1757%
Base Clock
1.66 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
45 nm
Architecture
DiamondVille (2008−2009)
Tunnel Creek (2010)
PassMark
285+4%
275
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom N280 uses the PBGA437 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom E660 uses BGA676 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR2-533 memory speed. Both support up to 2 GB of RAM. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom N280) vs 4 (Atom E660) — the Atom E660 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel PBGA437 (Atom N280) and Intel FCBGA518 (Atom E660).

FeatureAtom N280Atom E660
Socket
PBGA437
BGA676
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-533
DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity
2 GB
2 GB
RAM Channels
1
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
4
🔧

Advanced Features

The Atom E660 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 600), while the Atom N280 requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureAtom N280Atom E660
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel GMA 600