Atom x5-Z8350 vs Pentium Gold 6500Y

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 Pentium Gold 6500Y 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 Pentium Gold 6500Y: 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: +4.6% higher average FPS across 12 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Pentium Gold 6500Y needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Pentium Gold 6500Y

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-Z8350 across 12 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,966 vs 2,979).
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-Z8350 better than Pentium Gold 6500Y?

Yes. Atom x5-Z8350 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 12 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom x5-Z8350 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% more average FPS across 12 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom x5-Z8350 still makes the most sense overall. Atom x5-Z8350 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 12 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold 6500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-Z8350 vs Pentium Gold 6500Y 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.

Pentium Gold 6500Y

The Pentium Gold 6500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,966 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8350 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold 6500Y 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 3.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 6500Y — a 55.6% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 6500Y (base: 1.44 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8350 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold 6500Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8350 scores 2,979 against the Pentium Gold 6500Y's 2,966 — a 0.4% lead for the Atom x5-Z8350. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8350 vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold 6500Y.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8350	Pentium Gold 6500Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.92 GHz	3.4 GHz+77%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz+31%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,979	2,966

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8350 uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold 6500Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8350	Pentium Gold 6500Y
Socket	UTFCBGA592	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	1	—