Atom x5-Z8350 vs Core i5-4300M

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-Z8350 vs Core i5-4300M 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-Z8350 vs Core i5-4300M: 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-Z8350

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Core i5-4300M needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-4300M

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,960 vs 2,979).
❌Launch MSRP is still $227 MSRP, while Atom x5-Z8350 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4300M better than Atom x5-Z8350?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4300M is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-Z8350 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-Z8350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4300M is the better buy right now. Core i5-4300M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $227 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Atom x5-Z8350 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Atom x5-Z8350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) 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-Z8350 vs Core i5-4300M Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-Z8350

The Atom x5-Z8350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 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 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Memory support: 4 GB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,979 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-4300M

The Core i5-4300M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,960 points. Launch price was $227.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8350 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4300M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8350 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4300M — a 52.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-4300M (base: 1.44 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8350 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4300M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8350 scores 2,979 against the Core i5-4300M's 2,960 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-Z8350. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8350 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4300M.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8350	Core i5-4300M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.92 GHz	3.3 GHz+72%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	2.6 GHz+81%
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)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,979	2,960

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8350 uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4300M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8350	Core i5-4300M
Socket	UTFCBGA592	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	1	—