Atom Z515
VS
Core i7-9700K

Atom Z515 vs Core i7-9700K

Intel

Atom Z515

1 Cores1 Thrd650 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

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. The Atom Z515 is positioned at rank #894 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 Core i7-9700K

#259
Core i3-9100TE
MSRP: $122|Avg: $60
106%
#260
Core i5-12500T
MSRP: $302|Avg: $214
106%
#261
Core i9-13900
MSRP: $549|Avg: $599
105%
#262
Core i7-11700
MSRP: $323|Avg: $274
105%
#262
Core i7-8700K
MSRP: $359|Avg: $160
53%
#263
Core i9-13900T
MSRP: $549|Avg: $570
104%
#264
Processor 300T
MSRP: $82|Avg: $82
103%
#265
Athlon 3000G
MSRP: $49|Avg: $60
103%
#266
Athlon 220GE
MSRP: $65|Avg: $60
103%
#267
Ryzen 9 3900X
MSRP: $499|Avg: $441
102%
#268
Core i5-10500
MSRP: $200|Avg: $178
102%
#269
Celeron G6900T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $50
102%
#270
Core i9-10850K
MSRP: $453|Avg: $300
102%
#271
Core i9-13900E
MSRP: $554|Avg: $554
101%
#272
Core i9-9820X
MSRP: $889|Avg: $280
101%
#273
Core i9-9900X
MSRP: $989|Avg: $300
100%
#274
Ryzen 7 1800X
MSRP: $499|Avg: $120
45%
#274
Core i7-9700K
MSRP: $385|Avg: $200
100%
#275
Core i3-10320
MSRP: $154|Avg: $140
99%
#276
Core i5-9600KF
MSRP: $262|Avg: $150
99%
#277
Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE
MSRP: $180|Avg: $180
98%
#278
Ryzen Threadripper 1900X
MSRP: $549|Avg: $116
43%
#278
Core i7-14701TE
MSRP: $392|Avg: $390
98%
#279
Ryzen Threadripper 1920X
MSRP: $799|Avg: $265
40%
#279
Core i9-11900KF
MSRP: $513|Avg: $349
98%
#280
Athlon Silver 3050GE
MSRP: $75|Avg: $65
97%
#280
Core i7-7820X
MSRP: $599|Avg: $198
40%
#281
Core i7-9700E
MSRP: $259|Avg: $180
97%
#282
Core i7-11700K
MSRP: $399|Avg: $350
97%
#283
Ryzen Threadripper 1920
MSRP: $799|Avg: $200
38%
#283
Ryzen 7 PRO 3700
MSRP: $329|Avg: $330
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-9700K (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightAtom Z515Core i7-9700K
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($200)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Silverthorne (2008−2010) / 45 nm)
✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Atom Z515 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and unknown, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightAtom Z515Core i7-9700K
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($200)

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 Core i7-9700K

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

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Processing Power

The Atom Z515 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 7 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Atom Z515 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 121.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Atom Z515 uses the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z515 scores 195 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 194.7% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom Z515 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

FeatureAtom Z515Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
8 / 8+700%
Boost Clock
1.2 GHz
4.9 GHz+308%
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
3.6 GHz+200%
L3 Cache
0 kB
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
14 nm-69%
Architecture
Silverthorne (2008−2010)
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark
195
14,397+7283%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom Z515 uses the PBGA441 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-533 on the Atom Z515 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9700K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB 193.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom Z515) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z515) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel US15W (Atom Z515) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

FeatureAtom Z515Core i7-9700K
Socket
PBGA441
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-533
DDR4-2666+100%
Max RAM Capacity
2 GB
128 GB+6300%
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom Z515) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Atom Z515 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

FeatureAtom Z515Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop