Atom N550 vs Core i3-4020Y

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 N550 vs Core i3-4020Y 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 N550 vs Core i3-4020Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom N550

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 9W instead of 512W, a 503W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,435 vs 1,448).

Core i3-4020Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌5588.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 9W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4020Y better than Atom N550?

Yes. Core i3-4020Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4020Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4020Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4020Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-4020Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) 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 N550 vs Core i3-4020Y Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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 139.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4020Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 700% 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+140%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	16 GB+700%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	12

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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.