Atom Z515
VS
Atom Z520

Atom Z515 vs Atom Z520

Intel

Atom Z515

1 Cores1 Thrd650 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Atom Z520

1 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 0.03 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Atom Z515 is positioned at rank 894 and the Atom Z520 is on rank 523, so the Atom Z520 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Atom Z515

#882
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1505%
#883
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1483%
#884
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1361%
#885
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1355%
#886
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1342%
#888
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1296%
#889
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1243%
#890
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1241%
#891
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1208%
#894
Atom Z515
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#895
Pentium B940
MSRP: $134|Avg: $11
100%
#896
Core i5-8305G
MSRP: $350|Avg: $350
100%
#897
Celeron 6305
MSRP: $107|Avg: $80
100%
#900
Core i7-8705G
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
98%
#902
Pentium Dual Core T2410
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
97%
#903
FX-8800P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
97%
#904
Core i7-8809G
MSRP: $450|Avg: $450
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom Z520

#167
Core Ultra 7 258V
MSRP: $450|Avg: $400
98%
#511
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
682%
#512
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
672%
#513
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
617%
#514
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
614%
#515
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
609%
#517
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
588%
#518
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
564%
#519
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
563%
#520
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
548%
#523
Atom Z520
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Atom Z515 leads in gaming performance. However, the Atom Z520 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 9.8% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightAtom Z515Atom Z520
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Silverthorne (2008−2010) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Silverthorne (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightAtom Z515Atom Z520
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom Z515 and Atom Z520

Intel

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.

Intel

Atom Z520

The Atom Z520 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 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA441. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 215 points. Launch price was $65.

Processing Power

The Atom Z515 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, matching the Atom Z520's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Atom Z515 versus 0.03 GHz on the Atom Z520 — a 190.2% clock advantage for the Atom Z515 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). Both are built on the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Atom Z515 scores 195 against the Atom Z520's 215 — a 9.8% lead for the Atom Z520. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAtom Z515Atom Z520
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
1 / 2
Boost Clock
1.2 GHz+3900%
0.03 GHz
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
1.33 GHz+11%
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
512 kB
Process
45 nm
45 nm
Architecture
Silverthorne (2008−2010)
Silverthorne (2008−2010)
PassMark
195
215+10%
🧠

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 Z515) and Intel US15W (Atom Z520).

FeatureAtom Z515Atom Z520
Socket
PBGA441
PBGA441
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-533
DDR2-533
Max RAM Capacity
2 GB
2 GB
RAM Channels
1
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom Z515) / VT-x (Atom Z520). Primary use case: Atom Z520 targets Mobile.

FeatureAtom Z515Atom Z520
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Mobile