Atom Z3740 vs Core i5-2500S

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 Z3740 vs Core i5-2500S 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 Z3740 vs Core i5-2500S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom Z3740

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2500S.

Core i5-2500S

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom Z3740.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom Z3740 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,373 vs 3,380).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Atom Z3740 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z3740 better than Core i5-2500S?

Yes. Atom Z3740 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 Z3740 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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 Z3740 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom Z3740 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom Z3740 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2500S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Atom Z3740 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 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom Z3740 vs Core i5-2500S Technical Specifications

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

Atom Z3740

The Atom Z3740 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2013 (12 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 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,380 points. Launch price was $32.

Core i5-2500S

The Core i5-2500S 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,373 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom Z3740 and Core i5-2500S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Atom Z3740 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 66.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Atom Z3740 uses the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z3740 scores 3,380 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 0.2% lead for the Atom Z3740. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom Z3740 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.

Feature	Atom Z3740	Core i5-2500S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	3.7 GHz+99%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2.7 GHz+103%
L3 Cache	0 kB	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,380	3,373
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z3740 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2500S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1066 on the Atom Z3740 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500S — the Core i5-2500S supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2500S supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z3740) vs 16 (Core i5-2500S) — the Core i5-2500S offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom Z3740) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2500S).

Feature	Atom Z3740	Core i5-2500S
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1066	DDR3-1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	32 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom Z3740) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Atom Z3740) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.

Feature	Atom Z3740	Core i5-2500S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Legacy Desktop