Atom x5-E8000 vs Core i5-2400S

Intel

Atom x5-E8000

4 Cores4 Thrd5 WWMax: 1.04 GHz2016
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-2400S

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Atom x5-E8000 vs Core i5-2400S Performance Spectrum

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.

Atom x5-E8000 vs Core i5-2400S 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 x5-E8000 vs Core i5-2400S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x5-E8000

2016

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $117 less on MSRP ($18 MSRP vs $135 MSRP).
  • Delivers 657.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 178.8 vs 23.6 PassMark/$ ($18 MSRP vs $135 MSRP).
  • Draws 5W instead of 65W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2400S.

Core i5-2400S

2011

Why buy it

  • 300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom x5-E8000.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-E8000 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,187 vs 3,219).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.6 vs 178.8 PassMark/$ ($135 MSRP vs $18 MSRP).
  • 1200% higher power demand at 65W vs 5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-E8000 better than Core i5-2400S?
Yes. Atom x5-E8000 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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 x5-E8000 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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 x5-E8000 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Atom x5-E8000 is the better buy right now. Atom x5-E8000 comes in $117 cheaper on MSRP at $18 MSRP versus $135 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 657.5% better value on MSRP (178.8 vs 23.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Atom x5-E8000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-E8000 vs Core i5-2400S Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Atom x5-E8000

The Atom x5-E8000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.04 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,219 points. Launch price was $39.

Intel

Core i5-2400S

The Core i5-2400S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,187 points. Launch price was $141.

Processing Power

Both the Atom x5-E8000 and Core i5-2400S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.04 GHz on the Atom x5-E8000 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2400S — a 104.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2400S. The Atom x5-E8000 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2400S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E8000 scores 3,219 against the Core i5-2400S's 3,187 — a 1% lead for the Atom x5-E8000. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E8000 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400S.

FeatureAtom x5-E8000Core i5-2400S
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
1.04 GHz
3.3 GHz+217%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB+700%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Cherry Trail (2015−2016)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
3,219+1%
3,187
Cinebench R23 Multi
1,965
Geekbench 6 Single
578
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,966
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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Atom x5-E8000 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400S — the Atom x5-E8000 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2400S supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom x5-E8000) vs 16 (Core i5-2400S) — the Core i5-2400S offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1170 (Atom x5-E8000) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2400S).

FeatureAtom x5-E8000Core i5-2400S
Socket
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600+20%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
32 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
4
16+300%
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E8000) / Yes (Core i5-2400S). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) (Atom x5-E8000) and Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2400S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.

FeatureAtom x5-E8000Core i5-2400S
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)
Intel HD Graphics 2000
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom x5-E8000 was priced at $18, while the Core i5-2400S came in at $135. On launch pricing ($18 vs $135), Atom x5-E8000 was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom x5-E8000 delivers 178.8 pts/$ vs 23.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-2400S — making the Atom x5-E8000 the 153.4% better value option.

FeatureAtom x5-E8000Core i5-2400S
MSRP
$18-87%
$135
Performance per Dollar
178.8+658%
23.6
Release Date
2016
2011

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