Atom Z515 vs C-30

Atom Z515 vs C-30 Performance Spectrum

Atom Z515

1 / 2

195

0.0%

201

+3.1%

Ryzen 7 4700GE

Ryzen 9 5900X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

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 Z515 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 Z515 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 Z515

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (195 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

✅+3.1% higher PassMark.
✅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 Z515 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $50 MSRP, while Atom Z515 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is C-30 better than Atom Z515?

Yes. C-30 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 3.1% better PassMark and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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 3.1% 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 $50 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 3.1% higher PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2009) 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 Z515 vs C-30 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Atom Z515 and C-30 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Atom Z515 versus 1.2 GHz on the C-30 — identical boost frequencies. The Atom Z515 uses the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the C-30 uses Ontario (2011−2012) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z515 scores 195 against the C-30's 201 — a 3% lead for the C-30. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom Z515	C-30
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	1.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	512 kB
Process	45 nm	40 nm-11%
Architecture	Silverthorne (2008−2010)	Ontario (2011−2012)
PassMark	195	201+3%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom Z515 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 Z515 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 Z515) vs 4 (C-30) — the C-30 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel US15W (Atom Z515) and AMD BGA413 (C-30).

Feature	Atom Z515	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