Atom Z2580 vs Core i3-390M

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 Z2580 vs Core i3-390M 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 Z2580 vs Core i3-390M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom Z2580

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 3W instead of 512W, a 509W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i3-390M

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom Z2580 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,292 vs 1,303).
❌16966.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z2580 better than Core i3-390M?

Yes. Atom Z2580 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% 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, Atom Z2580 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z2580 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom Z2580 still makes the most sense overall. Atom Z2580 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom Z2580 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom Z2580 vs Core i3-390M Technical Specifications

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

Atom Z2580

The Atom Z2580 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Clovertrail (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FC-MB4760. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,303 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-390M

The Core i3-390M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,292 points. Launch price was $39.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom Z2580 and Core i3-390M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom Z2580 versus 0.67 GHz on the Core i3-390M — a 99.6% clock advantage for the Atom Z2580. The Atom Z2580 uses the Clovertrail (2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-390M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z2580 scores 1,303 against the Core i3-390M's 1,292 — a 0.8% lead for the Atom Z2580. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom Z2580 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-390M.

Feature	Atom Z2580	Core i3-390M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz+199%	0.67 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clovertrail (2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,303	1,292

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z2580 uses the FC-MB4760 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-390M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to LPDDR2-1066 memory speed. The Core i3-390M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z2580) vs 16 (Core i3-390M) — the Core i3-390M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom Z2580	Core i3-390M
Socket	FC-MB4760	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR2-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	8 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom Z2580) / VT-x (Core i3-390M). Both include integrated graphics — PowerVR SGX544MP2 (Atom Z2580) and HD Graphics (Core i3-390M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-390M targets Mobile.