Atom Z500 vs Atom Z515

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 Z500 vs Atom Z515 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 Z500 vs Atom Z515: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom Z500

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom Z515 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (165 vs 195).

Atom Z515

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z515 better than Atom Z500?

Yes. Atom Z515 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 25.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 18.2% 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 Z515 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.0% 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 Z515 is the stronger fit. You are getting 18.2% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Atom Z515 still makes the most sense overall. Atom Z515 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom Z515 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom Z500 vs Atom Z515 Technical Specifications

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

Atom Z500

The Atom Z500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 0.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA441. Thermal design power (TDP): 0.65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 165 points. Launch price was $45.

Atom Z515

The Atom Z515 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA441. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.4 Watt. Memory support: unknown. Passmark benchmark score: 195 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom Z500 and Atom Z515 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.8 GHz on the Atom Z500 versus 1.2 GHz on the Atom Z515 — a 40% clock advantage for the Atom Z515. Both are built on the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Atom Z500 scores 165 against the Atom Z515's 195 — a 16.7% lead for the Atom Z515. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom Z500	Atom Z515
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	0.8 GHz	1.2 GHz+50%
Base Clock	—	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Silverthorne (2008−2010)	Silverthorne (2008−2010)
PassMark	165	195+18%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PBGA441 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR2-533 memory speed. Both support up to 2 GB of RAM. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel US15W (Atom Z500) and Intel US15W (Atom Z515).