Atom x5-Z8550 vs Pentium N3520

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-Z8550 vs Pentium N3520 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-Z8550 vs Pentium N3520: 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-Z8550

2016

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Pentium N3520 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,143 vs 1,144).

Pentium N3520

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Atom x5-Z8550 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8550 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3520 better than Atom x5-Z8550?

Yes. Pentium N3520 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium N3520 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 40 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3520 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N3520 is the better buy right now. Pentium N3520 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-Z8550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-Z8550 vs Pentium N3520 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium N3520

The Pentium N3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.17 GHz, with boost up to 2.42 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom x5-Z8550 and Pentium N3520 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8550 versus 2.42 GHz on the Pentium N3520 — a 0.8% clock advantage for the Pentium N3520 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 2.17 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8550 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium N3520 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8550 scores 1,143 against the Pentium N3520's 1,144 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium N3520. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8550 vs 2 MB on the Pentium N3520.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8550	Pentium N3520
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.42 GHz
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	2.17 GHz+51%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,143	1,144

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-Z8550 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium N3520 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8550	Pentium N3520
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	2	—