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 Pentium 8500 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 Pentium 8500: 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

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $180 less on MSRP ($20 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 911.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 146.7 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($20 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Older platform position on UTFCBGA592, while Pentium 8500 moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Pentium 8500

2022

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of UTFCBGA592 and older memory support.
✅1300% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 1) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,900 vs 2,934).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 146.7 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $20 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 8500 better than Atom x5-Z8300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 8500 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-Z8300 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-Z8300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium 8500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 8500 comes in 900.0% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $20 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom x5-Z8300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 911.7% better value on paper (146.7 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), 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?

Pentium 8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2015) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of UTFCBGA592. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x5-Z8300 vs Pentium 8500 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.

Pentium 8500

The Pentium 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,900 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 8500 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Pentium 8500 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.84 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8300 versus 4.4 GHz on the Pentium 8500 — a 82.1% clock advantage for the Pentium 8500 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8300 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 8500 uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8300 scores 2,934 against the Pentium 8500's 2,900 — a 1.2% lead for the Atom x5-Z8300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Pentium 8500.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Pentium 8500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	5 / 6+25%
Boost Clock	1.84 GHz	4.4 GHz+139%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz+44%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	2,934+1%	2,900
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,100

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8300 uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 8500 uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-RS 1600 on the Atom x5-Z8300 versus LPDDR5-5200 on the Pentium 8500 — the Pentium 8500 supports 225% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium 8500 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x5-Z8300) vs 2 (Pentium 8500). PCIe lanes: 1 (Atom x5-Z8300) vs 14 (Pentium 8500) — the Pentium 8500 offers 13 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8300) and SoC (Pentium 8500).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Pentium 8500
Socket	UTFCBGA592	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600	LPDDR5-5200+225%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	64 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	1	14+1300%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8300) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Pentium 8500). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8300) and Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU) (Pentium 8500) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 8500 targets Entry Level Laptop.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Pentium 8500
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)	Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Entry Level Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom x5-Z8300 was priced at $20, while the Pentium 8500 came in at $200. On launch pricing ($20 vs $200), Atom x5-Z8300 was $180 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom x5-Z8300 delivers 146.7 pts/$ vs 14.5 pts/$ for the Pentium 8500 — making the Atom x5-Z8300 the 164% better value option.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8300	Pentium 8500
MSRP	$20-90%	$200
Performance per Dollar	146.7+912%	14.5
Release Date	2015	2022

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