Atom Z550 vs Pentium M 1.40

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 Z550 vs Pentium M 1.40 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 Z550 vs Pentium M 1.40: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Atom Z550

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 24W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium M 1.40

2003

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (345 vs 375).
❌900% higher power demand at 24W vs 2.4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z550 better than Pentium M 1.40?

Yes. Atom Z550 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 8.7% 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, Atom Z550 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 42.9% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.7% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.

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

Atom Z550 still makes the most sense overall. Atom Z550 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 8.7% higher PassMark.

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

Atom Z550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2003) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom Z550 vs Pentium M 1.40 Technical Specifications

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

Atom Z550

The Atom Z550 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 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA441. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.4 Watt. Memory support: unknown. Passmark benchmark score: 375 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium M 1.40

The Pentium M 1.40 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Banias (2003) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 24 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 345 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom Z550 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, matching the Pentium M 1.40's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom Z550 versus 1.4 GHz on the Pentium M 1.40 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Atom Z550. The Atom Z550 uses the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium M 1.40 uses Banias (2003) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z550 scores 375 against the Pentium M 1.40's 345 — a 8.3% lead for the Atom Z550. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom Z550	Pentium M 1.40
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2 GHz+43%	1.4 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	1 MB+100%
Process	45 nm-65%	130 nm
Architecture	Silverthorne (2008−2010)	Banias (2003)
PassMark	375+9%	345

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z550 uses the PBGA441 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium M 1.40 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.