Atom x5-Z8330 vs Pentium 957

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 Pentium 957 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 Pentium 957: 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.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Pentium 957 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Pentium 957

2011

Why buy it

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 $134 MSRP, while Atom x5-Z8330 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8330 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-Z8330 better than Pentium 957?

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 $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 957 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 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-Z8330 vs Pentium 957 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.

Pentium 957

The Pentium 957 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8330 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 957 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom x5-Z8330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8330 versus 1.2 GHz on the Pentium 957 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Atom x5-Z8330 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8330 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 957 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8330 scores 1,025 against the Pentium 957's 1,015 — a 1% lead for the Atom x5-Z8330. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8330 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 957.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8330	Pentium 957
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.92 GHz+60%	1.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.44 GHz+20%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,025	1,015