Atom x5-Z8550 vs Core i5-2537M
Atom x5-Z8550
Core i5-2537M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Atom x5-Z8550 is positioned at rank 723 and the Core i5-2537M is on rank 1217, so the Atom x5-Z8550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8550
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2537M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom x5-Z8550 | Core i5-2537M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom x5-Z8550 | Core i5-2537M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Atom x5-Z8550 and Core i5-2537M
Atom x5-Z8550
The Atom x5-Z8550 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 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,143 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i5-2537M
The Core i5-2537M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The Atom x5-Z8550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2537M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8550 versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-2537M — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Atom x5-Z8550 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8550 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2537M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8550 scores 1,143 against the Core i5-2537M's 1,144 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2537M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8550 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2537M.
| Feature | Atom x5-Z8550 | Core i5-2537M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz+4% | 2.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.44 GHz+3% | 1.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Cherry Trail (2015−2016) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,143 | 1,144 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 427 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 717 |
Memory & Platform
The Atom x5-Z8550 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2537M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1600 on the Atom x5-Z8550 versus 1333 on the Core i5-2537M — the Core i5-2537M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2537M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 2 (Atom x5-Z8550) vs 16 (Core i5-2537M) — the Core i5-2537M offers 14 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8550) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS57,QS67,UM67 (Core i5-2537M).
| Feature | Atom x5-Z8550 | Core i5-2537M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | UTFCBGA1380 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR3-1600 | 1333+44333% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+52428700% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 2 | 16+700% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-Z8550) / true (Core i5-2537M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8550) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2537M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2537M rivals Core i5-2410M.
| Feature | Atom x5-Z8550 | Core i5-2537M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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