Atom x5-E8000 vs Core i5-6300U

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 i5-6300U 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 i5-6300U: 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: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 5W instead of 15W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $18 MSRP, while Core i5-6300U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-6300U

2015

Why buy it

✅200% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-E8000 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,207 vs 3,219).
❌200% higher power demand at 15W vs 5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-E8000 better than Core i5-6300U?

Yes. Atom x5-E8000 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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 4.8% 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 0.4% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $18 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (178.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 x5-E8000 vs Core i5-6300U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-6300U

The Core i5-6300U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 3,207 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Atom x5-E8000 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6300U 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 3 GHz on the Core i5-6300U — a 97% clock advantage for the Core i5-6300U. The Atom x5-E8000 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6300U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E8000 scores 3,219 against the Core i5-6300U's 3,207 — a 0.4% lead for the Atom x5-E8000. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E8000 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-6300U.

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Core i5-6300U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.04 GHz	3 GHz+188%
Base Clock	—	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,219	3,207
Geekbench 6 Single	—	967

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Atom x5-E8000 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6300U — the Core i5-6300U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6300U 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 12 (Core i5-6300U) — the Core i5-6300U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1170 (Atom x5-E8000) and Skylake-U (Core i5-6300U).

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Core i5-6300U
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	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	12+200%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E8000) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) (Atom x5-E8000) and HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6300U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300U rivals PRO A12-9800B.

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Core i5-6300U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)	HD Graphics 520
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Mainstream Laptop