Atom x5-Z8500 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300

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-Z8500 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300 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-Z8500 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300: 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-Z8500

2015

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Core 2 Solo SU3300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,242 vs 1,247).

Core 2 Solo SU3300

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $262 MSRP, while Atom x5-Z8500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Solo SU3300 better than Atom x5-Z8500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom x5-Z8500 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3300 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 2 Solo SU3300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Core 2 Solo SU3300 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Solo SU3300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $262 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Atom x5-Z8500 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-Z8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-Z8500 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300 Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-Z8500

The Atom x5-Z8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 March 2015 (10 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 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,242 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Solo SU3300

The Core 2 Solo SU3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,247 points. Launch price was $262.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Atom x5-Z8500 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8500 versus 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — a 60.5% clock advantage for the Atom x5-Z8500. The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8500 scores 1,242 against the Core 2 Solo SU3300's 1,247 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Solo SU3300.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Core 2 Solo SU3300
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+300%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz+87%	1.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,242	1,247

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1600 on the Atom x5-Z8500 versus DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — the Atom x5-Z8500 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom x5-Z8500 supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Atom x5-Z8500) vs 1 (Core 2 Solo SU3300). PCIe lanes: 2 (Atom x5-Z8500) vs 0 (Core 2 Solo SU3300) — the Atom x5-Z8500 offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Core 2 Solo SU3300
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1600+100%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+100%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	2	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8500) / VT-x (Core 2 Solo SU3300). The Atom x5-Z8500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Solo SU3300 targets Mobile.