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 Z3735G vs Core i5-2500T 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 Z3735G vs Core i5-2500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom Z3735G

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $165 less on MSRP ($17 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 956.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 170.1 vs 16.1 PassMark/$ ($17 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 45W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,891 vs 2,929).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-2500T

2011

Why buy it

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.1 vs 170.1 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $17 MSRP).
❌2150% higher power demand at 45W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2500T better than Atom Z3735G?

Yes. Core i5-2500T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-2500T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% 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, Core i5-2500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-2500T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-2500T comes in 970.6% more expensive on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $17 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom Z3735G only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 956.7% better value on paper (170.1 vs 16.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on UTFCBGA592.

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

Atom Z3735G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom Z3735G vs Core i5-2500T Technical Specifications

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

Atom Z3735G

The Atom Z3735G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,891 points. Launch price was $17.

Core i5-2500T

The Core i5-2500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,929 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom Z3735G and Core i5-2500T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Atom Z3735G versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2500T — a 57.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500T (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Atom Z3735G uses the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2500T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z3735G scores 2,891 against the Core i5-2500T's 2,929 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-2500T. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Atom Z3735G vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500T.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i5-2500T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	3.3 GHz+80%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2.3 GHz+73%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	6144 kB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,891	2,929+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z3735G uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2500T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-RS 1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2500T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 1 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom Z3735G) vs 2 (Core i5-2500T). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z3735G) vs 16 (Core i5-2500T) — the Core i5-2500T offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i5-2500T
Socket	UTFCBGA592	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	1 GB	32 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom Z3735G) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2500T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Atom Z3735G) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500T targets Desktop.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i5-2500T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom Z3735G was priced at $17, while the Core i5-2500T came in at $182. On launch pricing ($17 vs $182), Atom Z3735G was $165 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom Z3735G delivers 170.1 pts/$ vs 16.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500T — making the Atom Z3735G the 165.4% better value option.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i5-2500T
MSRP	$17-91%	$182
Performance per Dollar	170.1+957%	16.1
Release Date	2014	2011

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