Atom x7-Z8700 vs Pentium 3550M

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 x7-Z8700 vs Pentium 3550M 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 x7-Z8700 vs Pentium 3550M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Atom x7-Z8700

2015

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Pentium 3550M needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,325 vs 1,327).

Pentium 3550M

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x7-Z8700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 3550M better than Atom x7-Z8700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom x7-Z8700 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, Pentium 3550M pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 3550M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 3550M still makes the most sense overall. Pentium 3550M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark.

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

Atom x7-Z8700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x7-Z8700 vs Pentium 3550M Technical Specifications

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

Atom x7-Z8700

The Atom x7-Z8700 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 1.6 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: 1,325 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 3550M

The Pentium 3550M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,327 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Atom x7-Z8700 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 3550M offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom x7-Z8700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Atom x7-Z8700 versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium 3550M — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Atom x7-Z8700 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Atom x7-Z8700 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 3550M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7-Z8700 scores 1,325 against the Pentium 3550M's 1,327 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium 3550M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x7-Z8700 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 3550M.

Feature	Atom x7-Z8700	Pentium 3550M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+4%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.3 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,325	1,327

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7-Z8700 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 3550M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x7-Z8700	Pentium 3550M
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	PGA946
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	—