Atom x5-E8000
VS
Core i5-6260U

Atom x5-E8000 vs Core i5-6260U

Intel

Atom x5-E8000

4 Cores4 Thrd5 WWMax: 1.04 GHz2016
VS
Intel

Core i5-6260U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2015

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-E8000 is positioned at rank 18 and the Core i5-6260U is on rank 406, so the Atom x5-E8000 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-E8000

#6
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
137%
#7
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
135%
#8
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
124%
#9
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
123%
#10
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
122%
#12
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
118%
#13
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
113%
#14
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
113%
#15
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
110%
#18
Atom x5-E8000
MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A
100%
#19
Core 2 Duo T5900
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
99%
#22
Core i3-3130M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
89%
#23
Core 2 Duo T5550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
85%
#24
Core 2 Duo T7100
MSRP: $197|Avg: $15
85%
#27
Pentium 2030M
MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A
81%
#28
Core 2 Duo T5750
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8
81%
#29
Core 2 Duo T7200
MSRP: $286|Avg: $6
80%
#30
Core i5-3230M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $13
80%
#31
Atom D525
MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A
80%
#32
Atom x7835RE
MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A
79%
#33
Core 2 Duo P8400
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
78%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6260U

#124
Core i5-1240P
MSRP: $309|Avg: $200
98%
#125
Core i7-13700H
MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A
98%
#394
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
550%
#395
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
542%
#396
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
498%
#397
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
495%
#398
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
491%
#400
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
474%
#401
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
455%
#402
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
454%
#403
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
442%
#406
Core i5-6260U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#421
Core i5-9400H
MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-6260U leads in gaming performance. However, the Atom x5-E8000 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightAtom x5-E8000Core i5-6260U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($18)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightAtom x5-E8000Core i5-6260U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($18)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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-E8000 and Core i5-6260U

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 i5-6260U

The Core i5-6260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.

Processing Power

The Atom x5-E8000 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6260U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-E8000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.04 GHz on the Atom x5-E8000 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U — a 94.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-6260U. The Atom x5-E8000 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6260U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E8000 scores 3,219 against the Core i5-6260U's 3,200 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-E8000. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E8000 vs 4 MB on the Core i5-6260U.

FeatureAtom x5-E8000Core i5-6260U
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.04 GHz
2.9 GHz+179%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
4 MB
L2 Cache
2 MB+300%
512 kB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Cherry Trail (2015−2016)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
3,219
3,200
Geekbench 6 Single
979
🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Atom x5-E8000 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U — the Core i5-6260U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6260U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom x5-E8000) vs 12 (Core i5-6260U) — the Core i5-6260U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1170 (Atom x5-E8000) and Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U).

FeatureAtom x5-E8000Core i5-6260U
Socket
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
32 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
4
12+200%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E8000) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) (Atom x5-E8000) and Iris Graphics 540 (Core i5-6260U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.

FeatureAtom x5-E8000Core i5-6260U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)
Iris Graphics 540
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop