Atom N550 vs Core i3-4020Y

Atom N550

2 Cores4 Thrd9 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2010

Core i3-4020Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Atom N550

2 / 4

1,435

0.0%

1,448

+0.9%

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 N550 is positioned at rank 618 and the Core i3-4020Y is on rank 716, so the Atom N550 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 N550

#605

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

818%

#606

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

806%

#607

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

740%

#608

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

736%

#609

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

730%

#611

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

705%

#612

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

676%

#613

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

674%

#614

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

656%

#618

Atom N550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#621

Athlon II P320

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

99%

#624

Core 3 N355

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

98%

#627

Core i5-1335UE

MSRP: $312|Avg: $312

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4020Y

#704

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1013%

#705

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

998%

#706

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

916%

#707

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

912%

#708

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

904%

#710

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

873%

#711

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

837%

#712

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

836%

#713

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

813%

#716

Core i3-4020Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#718

Core i3-1315UE

MSRP: $312|Avg: $250

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Core i3-4020Y shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.

Insight	Atom N550	Core i3-4020Y
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Pineview (2009−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Atom N550	Core i3-4020Y
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.

Atom N550 Benchmark Check

Core i3-4020Y Benchmark Check

Valorant

No prediction data available

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom N550 and Core i3-4020Y

Atom N550

The Atom N550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,435 points. Launch price was $86.

Core i3-4020Y

The Core i3-4020Y 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 1.5 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: 1,448 points. Launch price was $304.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Atom N550 and Core i3-4020Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4020Y — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Atom N550 uses the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4020Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N550 scores 1,435 against the Core i3-4020Y's 1,448 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-4020Y. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N550 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4020Y.

Feature	Atom N550	Core i3-4020Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Pineview (2009−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,435	1,448

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom N550 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4020Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-667 on the Atom N550 versus 1600 on the Core i3-4020Y — the Core i3-4020Y supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4020Y supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 2 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N550) vs 2 (Core i3-4020Y). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom N550) vs 12 (Core i3-4020Y) — the Core i3-4020Y offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N550) and BGA1168 (Core i3-4020Y).

Feature	Atom N550	Core i3-4020Y
Socket	FCBGA559	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-667	1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB+13107100%	16
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N550) / true (Core i3-4020Y). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3150 (Atom N550) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4020Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.