Atom x5-Z8500 vs Z-60

Atom x5-Z8500 vs Z-60 Performance Spectrum

Atom x5-Z8500

4 / 4

1,242

0.0%

1,249

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

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 Z-60 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 Z-60: 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 1,249).

Z-60

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Z-60 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, Z-60 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Z-60 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Z-60 still makes the most sense overall. Z-60 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% 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 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-Z8500 vs Z-60 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.

Z-60

The Z-60 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Hondo (2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,249 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Z-60 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom x5-Z8500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8500 versus 1 GHz on the Z-60 — a 76.5% clock advantage for the Atom x5-Z8500. The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Z-60 uses Hondo (2012) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8500 scores 1,242 against the Z-60's 1,249 — a 0.6% lead for the Z-60. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Z-60
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz+124%	1 GHz
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB
Process	14 nm-65%	40 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Hondo (2012)
PassMark	1,242	1,249
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	658

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8500 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Z-60 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1600 on the Atom x5-Z8500 versus DDR3-1066 on the Z-60 — the Atom x5-Z8500 supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Atom x5-Z8500) vs 1 (Z-60).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8500	Z-60
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	FT1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	2	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8500) / AMD-V (Z-60). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8500) and Radeon HD 6250 (Z-60) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Z-60 targets Tablet. Direct competitor: Z-60 rivals Core i3-2310M.