Atom N570 vs Core i5-2557M

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 N570 vs Core i5-2557M 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 N570 vs Core i5-2557M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom N570

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 9W instead of 17W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-2557M

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom N570 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,618 vs 1,630).
❌88.9% higher power demand at 17W vs 9W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom N570 better than Core i5-2557M?

Yes. Atom N570 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom N570 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom N570 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom N570 still makes the most sense overall. Atom N570 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom N570 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 N570 vs Core i5-2557M Technical Specifications

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

Atom N570

The Atom N570 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 1.67 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: 1,630 points. Launch price was $86.

Core i5-2557M

The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom N570 and Core i5-2557M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.67 GHz on the Atom N570 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 47.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M (base: 1.66 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Atom N570 uses the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N570 scores 1,630 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.7% lead for the Atom N570. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N570 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M.

Feature	Atom N570	Core i5-2557M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.67 GHz	2.7 GHz+62%
Base Clock	1.66 GHz	1.7 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Pineview (2009−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,630	1,618
Geekbench 6 Single	—	521
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	882

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Memory & Platform

The Atom N570 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-667 on the Atom N570 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2557M — the Core i5-2557M supports 99.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2557M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N570) vs 2 (Core i5-2557M). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom N570) vs 16 (Core i5-2557M) — the Core i5-2557M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N570) and HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M).

Feature	Atom N570	Core i5-2557M
Socket	FCBGA559	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-667	DDR3-1333+100%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	8 GB+300%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N570) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3150 (Atom N570) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.