Atom Z520 vs Ryzen 5 3600
Atom Z520
Ryzen 5 3600
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 Z520 is positioned at rank #523 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom Z520
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom Z520 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Silverthorne (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom Z520 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
Performance Check
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 Z520 and Ryzen 5 3600
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.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The Atom Z520 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.03 GHz on the Atom Z520 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 197.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Atom Z520 uses the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z520 scores 215 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 195.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom Z520 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Atom Z520 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 2 | 6 / 12+500% |
| Boost Clock | 0.03 GHz | 4.2 GHz+13900% |
| Base Clock | 1.33 GHz | 3.6 GHz+171% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-84% |
| Architecture | Silverthorne (2008−2010) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 215 | 17,685+8126% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The Atom Z520 uses the PBGA441 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-533 on the Atom Z520 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 193.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom Z520) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z520) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel US15W (Atom Z520) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | Atom Z520 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PBGA441 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-533 | DDR4-3200+100% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2 GB | 128 GB+6300% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Atom Z520) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Atom Z520 targets Mobile, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Atom Z520 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | Yes |
| Target Use | Mobile | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
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