Atom x5-Z8300 vs Core i5-3380M

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-Z8300 vs Core i5-3380M 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-Z8300 vs Core i5-3380M: 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-Z8300

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,934 vs 2,938).
❌Launch MSRP is still $20 MSRP, while Core i5-3380M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-3380M

2013

Why buy it

✅1500% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 1) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3380M better than Atom x5-Z8300?

Yes. Core i5-3380M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3380M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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, Core i5-3380M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-3380M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-3380M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $20 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom x5-Z8300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (146.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on UTFCBGA592.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Atom x5-Z8300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-Z8300 vs Core i5-3380M Technical Specifications

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

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 i5-3380M

The Core i5-3380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,938 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3380M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.84 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8300 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3380M — a 64.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-3380M (base: 1.44 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8300 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3380M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8300 scores 2,934 against the Core i5-3380M's 2,938 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-3380M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3380M.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Core i5-3380M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.84 GHz	3.6 GHz+96%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	2.9 GHz+101%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,934	2,938
Geekbench 6 Single	—	700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,600

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8300 uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3380M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-RS 1600 memory speed. The Core i5-3380M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x5-Z8300) vs 2 (Core i5-3380M). PCIe lanes: 1 (Atom x5-Z8300) vs 16 (Core i5-3380M) — the Core i5-3380M offers 15 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8300) and HM77,QM77 (Core i5-3380M).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Core i5-3380M
Socket	UTFCBGA592	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	32 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	1	16+1500%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3380M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8300) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3380M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3380M targets Business Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3380M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Core i5-3380M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Business Laptop