Atom N550 vs Core i5-10400F
Atom N550
Core i5-10400F
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. The Atom N550 is positioned at rank #618 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom N550
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom N550 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($102) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Pineview (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom N550 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($102) |
Performance Check
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 N550 and Core i5-10400F
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 i5-10400F
The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.
Processing Power
The Atom N550 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 96.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Atom N550 uses the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N550 scores 1,435 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 160.3% lead for the Core i5-10400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N550 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.
| Feature | Atom N550 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 6 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 1.5 GHz | 4.3 GHz+187% |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2.9 GHz+93% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 14 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Pineview (2009−2011) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 1,435 | 13,029+808% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 8,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,454 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 5,783 |
Memory & Platform
The Atom N550 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-667 on the Atom N550 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 193.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N550) vs 2 (Core i5-10400F). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom N550) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N550) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).
| Feature | Atom N550 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA559 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-667 | DDR4-2666+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2 GB | 128 GB+6300% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Atom N550) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Atom N550 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Atom N550 | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel GMA 3150 | — |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Gaming |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Atom N550 and Core i5-10400F
