CPU
GPU
Atom x5-E3940
Core 2 Duo T5550
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 x5-E3940 is positioned at rank 337 and the Core 2 Duo T5550 is on rank 23, so the Core 2 Duo T5550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-E3940
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T5550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Apollo Lake (2014−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
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 x5-E3940 and Core 2 Duo T5550
Atom x5-E3940
The Atom x5-E3940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 points. Launch price was $69.
Core 2 Duo T5550
The Core 2 Duo T5550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.83 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,826 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Atom x5-E3940 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T5550 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom x5-E3940 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 versus 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5550 — a 1.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T5550 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.83 GHz). The Atom x5-E3940 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E3940 scores 1,816 against the Core 2 Duo T5550's 1,826 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5550. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E3940 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5550.
| Feature | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.8 GHz | 1.83 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 1.83 GHz+14% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 2 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 2 MB |
| Process | 14 nm-78% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Apollo Lake (2014−2016) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,816 | 1,826 |
Memory & Platform
The Atom x5-E3940 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1296 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1866 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 6 | — |
Advanced Features
The Atom x5-E3940 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 500 | — |
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