Atom Z500 vs C-30

Atom Z500 vs C-30 Performance Spectrum

Atom Z500

1 / 1

165

0.0%

201

+21.8%

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About PassMark

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 C-30 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 C-30: 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 C-30 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (165 vs 201).
❌27% higher power demand at 650W vs 512W.
❌No integrated graphics, while C-30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

C-30

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.0% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 512W instead of 650W, a 138W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6250, while Atom Z500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $50 MSRP, while Atom Z500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is C-30 better than Atom Z500?

Yes. C-30 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 25.0% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 21.8% 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, C-30 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.0% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, C-30 is the stronger fit. You are getting 21.8% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

C-30 is the better buy right now. C-30 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $50 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.0% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

C-30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 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 C-30 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.

C-30

The C-30 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 201 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom Z500 and C-30 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.8 GHz on the Atom Z500 versus 1.2 GHz on the C-30 — a 40% clock advantage for the C-30. The Atom Z500 uses the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the C-30 uses Ontario (2011−2012) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z500 scores 165 against the C-30's 201 — a 19.7% lead for the C-30. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom Z500	C-30
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	0.8 GHz	1.2 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	45 nm	40 nm-11%
Architecture	Silverthorne (2008−2010)	Ontario (2011−2012)
PassMark	165	201+22%

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z500 uses the PBGA441 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the C-30 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-533 on the Atom Z500 versus DDR3-1066 on the C-30 — the C-30 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The C-30 supports up to 4 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z500) vs 4 (C-30) — the C-30 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel US15W (Atom Z500) and AMD BGA413 (C-30).

Feature	Atom Z500	C-30
Socket	PBGA441	FT1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-533	DDR3-1066+100%
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	4