Atom Z3735G vs Core i5-5257U

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 i5-5257U 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 i5-5257U: 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

✅+1.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $17 MSRP, while Core i5-5257U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-5257U

2015

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,837 vs 2,891).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z3735G better than Core i5-5257U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5257U is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z3735G pulls ahead with 1.9% better PassMark. Core i5-5257U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z3735G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom Z3735G is the better buy right now. Atom Z3735G comes in at an unclear MSRP at $17 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-5257U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (170.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-5257U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom Z3735G vs Core i5-5257U 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 i5-5257U

The Core i5-5257U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,837 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

The Atom Z3735G packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-5257U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom Z3735G has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Atom Z3735G versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-5257U — a 51.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-5257U (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Atom Z3735G uses the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-5257U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z3735G scores 2,891 against the Core i5-5257U's 2,837 — a 1.9% lead for the Atom Z3735G. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Atom Z3735G vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5257U.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i5-5257U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	3.1 GHz+69%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2.7 GHz+103%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,891+2%	2,837
Geekbench 6 Single	—	950
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,900

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z3735G uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-5257U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-RS 1333 on the Atom Z3735G versus LPDDR3 1866 MHz on the Core i5-5257U — the Core i5-5257U supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-5257U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 1 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom Z3735G) vs 2 (Core i5-5257U). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z3735G) vs 12 (Core i5-5257U) — the Core i5-5257U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom Z3735G) and Broadwell-U (Core i5-5257U).

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i5-5257U
Socket	UTFCBGA592	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1333	LPDDR3 1866 MHz+40%
Max RAM Capacity	1 GB	16 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom Z3735G) / true (Core i5-5257U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Atom Z3735G) and Intel Iris Graphics 6100 (Core i5-5257U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5257U targets Mobile.