Atom x5-Z8350 vs Core i5-6200U

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 i5-6200U 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 i5-6200U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,979 vs 2,990).

Core i5-6200U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅1100% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 1) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-Z8350 across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6200U better than Atom x5-Z8350?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom x5-Z8350 is ahead with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6200U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6200U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6200U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-6200U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-Z8350 vs Core i5-6200U 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 i5-6200U

The Core i5-6200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,990 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8350 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6200U 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 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6200U — a 37.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-6200U (base: 1.44 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8350 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6200U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8350 scores 2,979 against the Core i5-6200U's 2,990 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-6200U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8350 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-6200U.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8350	Core i5-6200U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.92 GHz	2.8 GHz+46%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	2.3 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,979	2,990
Geekbench 6 Single	—	946

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8350 uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6200U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-RS 1600 on the Atom x5-Z8350 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6200U — the Core i5-6200U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6200U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x5-Z8350) vs 2 (Core i5-6200U). PCIe lanes: 1 (Atom x5-Z8350) vs 12 (Core i5-6200U) — the Core i5-6200U offers 11 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8350) and Integrated (Core i5-6200U).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8350	Core i5-6200U
Socket	UTFCBGA592	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	32 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	1	12+1100%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8350) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6200U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8350) and HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6200U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6200U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6200U rivals A12-9700P.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8350	Core i5-6200U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)	HD Graphics 520
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Mainstream Laptop