Core 2 Duo E6420 vs Atom x5-Z8500

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo E6420

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2007

Atom x5-Z8500

4 Cores4 Thrd−WMax: 2.24 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E6420

2 / 2

1,235

0.0%

1,242

+0.6%

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 Core 2 Duo E6420 is positioned at rank 1054 and the Atom x5-Z8500 is on rank 450, so the Atom x5-Z8500 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 Core 2 Duo E6420

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

46180%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

43636%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

31683%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

9545%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

7560%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

6614%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3788%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3739%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3404%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3404%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3366%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3275%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3229%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3216%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3187%

#1054

Core 2 Duo E6420

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

100%

#1055

Phenom X4 9600B

MSRP: $278|Avg: $20

98%

#1056

Pentium D 940

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

98%

#1057

Phenom II X3 B77

MSRP: $281|Avg: $35

97%

#1058

Core 2 Duo E6300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

96%

#1059

Core 2 Duo E6400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

95%

#1060

Core 2 Duo E8300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

94%

#1061

Phenom X4 9500

MSRP: $247|Avg: $30

94%

#1062

Celeron D 352

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

90%

#1063

Core i7-970

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289

90%

#1064

Core i7-880

MSRP: $583|Avg: $40

87%

#1065

Pentium D 820

MSRP: $241|Avg: $20

87%

#1066

Celeron 2.10

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

86%

#1067

Core i7-950

MSRP: $562|Avg: $15

86%

#1068

Sempron 3100+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $15

85%

#1069

Athlon II X4 635

MSRP: $400|Avg: $250

83%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8500

#438

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

591%

#439

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

582%

#440

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

534%

#441

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

532%

#442

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

527%

#444

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

509%

#445

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

488%

#446

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

487%

#447

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

474%

#450

Atom x5-Z8500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 Atom x5-Z8500 (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E6420	Atom x5-Z8500
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E6420 (2007) relies on 65 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E6420	Atom x5-Z8500
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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.

Core 2 Duo E6420 Benchmark Check

Atom x5-Z8500 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E6420 and Atom x5-Z8500

Core 2 Duo E6420

The Core 2 Duo E6420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,235 points. Launch price was $249.

Atom x5-Z8500

The Atom x5-Z8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,242 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E6420 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6420 versus 2.24 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8500 — a 5% clock advantage for the Atom x5-Z8500 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8500 uses Cherry Trail (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6420 scores 1,235 against the Atom x5-Z8500's 1,242 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-Z8500. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Atom x5-Z8500
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz	2.24 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz+48%	1.44 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB
Process	65 nm	14 nm-78%
Architecture	Conroe (2006−2007)	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,235	1,242

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom x5-Z8500 uses UTFCBGA1380 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo E6420 versus LPDDR3-1600 on the Atom x5-Z8500 — the Core 2 Duo E6420 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E6420 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E6420) vs 2 (Atom x5-Z8500) — the Core 2 Duo E6420 offers 14 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6420) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8500).

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Atom x5-Z8500
Socket	LGA775	UTFCBGA1380
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	1066+35433%	LPDDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16	8 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+700%	2

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E6420) / not specified (Atom x5-Z8500). The Atom x5-Z8500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)), while the Core 2 Duo E6420 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6420 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.