Atom x5-Z8330 vs Core i5-560UM

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-Z8330 vs Core i5-560UM 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-Z8330 vs Core i5-560UM: 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-Z8330

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-560UM

2010

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-Z8330 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,015 vs 1,025).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Atom x5-Z8330 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-Z8330 better than Core i5-560UM?

Yes. Atom x5-Z8330 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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-Z8330 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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-Z8330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom x5-Z8330 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Atom x5-Z8330 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-560UM only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 5.5% in the shared gaming data.

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

Atom x5-Z8330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010) 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-Z8330 vs Core i5-560UM Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-Z8330

The Atom x5-Z8330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Memory support: DDR3L-RS 1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,025 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-560UM

The Core i5-560UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8330 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-560UM offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8330 versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM — a 10.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-560UM (base: 1.44 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8330 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-560UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8330 scores 1,025 against the Core i5-560UM's 1,015 — a 1% lead for the Atom x5-Z8330. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8330 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8330	Core i5-560UM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.92 GHz	2.13 GHz+11%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz+8%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,025	1,015

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-RS 1600 on the Atom x5-Z8330 versus 800 on the Core i5-560UM — the Atom x5-Z8330 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-560UM supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x5-Z8330) vs 2 (Core i5-560UM). PCIe lanes: 1 (Atom x5-Z8330) vs 16 (Core i5-560UM) — the Core i5-560UM offers 15 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8330) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-560UM).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8330	Core i5-560UM
Socket	—	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600+100%	800
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	8 GB+300%
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-Z8330) / true (Core i5-560UM). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8330) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-560UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.