Atom x5-Z8500 vs Pentium N3700

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 Pentium N3700 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 Pentium N3700: 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 Pentium N3700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,242 vs 1,248).

Pentium N3700

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3700 better than Atom x5-Z8500?

Yes. Pentium N3700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.5% better PassMark and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium N3700 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 7.1% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N3700 still makes the most sense overall. Pentium N3700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% higher PassMark.

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

Pentium N3700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-Z8500 vs Pentium N3700 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.

Pentium N3700

The Pentium N3700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,248 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom x5-Z8500 and Pentium N3700 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8500 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium N3700 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Pentium N3700 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium N3700 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8500 scores 1,242 against the Pentium N3700's 1,248 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium N3700. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Pentium N3700
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz	2.4 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	1.6 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,242	1,248

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium N3700 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Pentium N3700
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	2	—