Atom x5-Z8300 vs Core 2 Duo P9500

Atom x5-Z8300

4 Cores4 Thrd−WMax: 1.84 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo P9500

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Atom x5-Z8300

4 / 4

2,934

+1.1%

2,901

0.0%

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-Z8300 is positioned at rank 4 and the Core 2 Duo P9500 is on rank 354, so the Atom x5-Z8300 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-Z8300

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

100%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

99%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

90%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

90%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

89%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

86%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

83%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

82%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

80%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

74%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

73%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

72%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9500

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

100%

#107

Core Ultra 5 228V

MSRP: $295|Avg: $295

99%

#111

Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $180

98%

#342

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

506%

#343

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

498%

#344

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

457%

#345

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

455%

#346

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

451%

#348

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

436%

#349

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

418%

#350

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

417%

#351

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

406%

#354

Core 2 Duo P9500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom x5-Z8300 (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Atom x5-Z8300	Core 2 Duo P9500
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P9500 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Atom x5-Z8300	Core 2 Duo P9500
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ 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.

Atom x5-Z8300 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P9500 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom x5-Z8300 and Core 2 Duo P9500

Atom x5-Z8300

The Atom x5-Z8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.84 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,934 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo P9500

The Core 2 Duo P9500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,901 points. Launch price was $348.

⚡

Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P9500 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom x5-Z8300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.84 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8300 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9500 — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9500 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8300 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P9500 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8300 scores 2,934 against the Core 2 Duo P9500's 2,901 — a 1.1% lead for the Atom x5-Z8300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8300 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9500.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Core 2 Duo P9500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.84 GHz	2.53 GHz+37%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	2.53 GHz+76%
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,934+1%	2,901
Geekbench 6 Single	—	340
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	650

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8300 uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P9500 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-RS 1600 memory speed. The Core 2 Duo P9500 supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x5-Z8300) vs 2 (Core 2 Duo P9500). Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8300) and PM45,GM45 (Core 2 Duo P9500).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Core 2 Duo P9500
Socket	UTFCBGA592	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	8 GB+300%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	1	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8300) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo P9500). The Atom x5-Z8300 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)), while the Core 2 Duo P9500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo P9500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P9500 rivals Athlon II X2 245e.