Atom x5-Z8500 vs Core i3-2330M

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 i3-2330M 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 i3-2330M: 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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,242 vs 1,248).

Core i3-2330M

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅700% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 2) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2330M better than Atom x5-Z8500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom x5-Z8500 is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2330M pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2330M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-2330M still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-2330M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

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 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-Z8500 vs Core i3-2330M 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 i3-2330M

The Core i3-2330M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,248 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-2330M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8500 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330M — a 1.8% clock advantage for the Atom x5-Z8500 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2330M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8500 scores 1,242 against the Core i3-2330M's 1,248 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-2330M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2330M.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Core i3-2330M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz+2%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	2.2 GHz+53%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,242	1,248

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1600 on the Atom x5-Z8500 versus 1333 on the Core i3-2330M — the Atom x5-Z8500 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2330M supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 2 (Atom x5-Z8500) vs 16 (Core i3-2330M) — the Core i3-2330M offers 14 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8500) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i3-2330M).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Core i3-2330M
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1600+20%	1333
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	2	16+700%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8500) / true (Core i3-2330M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8500) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2330M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-2330M rivals AMD A6-3400M.