Core 2 Duo E8200 vs Atom x5-Z8550

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo E8200

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2008

Atom x5-Z8550

4 Cores4 Thrd−WMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E8200

2 / 2

1,144

+0.1%

1,143

0.0%

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 E8200 is positioned at rank 1048 and the Atom x5-Z8550 is on rank 723, so the Atom x5-Z8550 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 E8200

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

44404%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

41957%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

30464%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

9178%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

7270%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

6360%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3642%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3595%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3273%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3273%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3236%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3149%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3105%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3092%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3064%

#1048

Core 2 Duo E8200

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

100%

#1049

Core 2 Quad Q9450

MSRP: $316|Avg: $15

100%

#1050

Core 2 Duo E8600

MSRP: $200|Avg: $95

98%

#1051

Core 2 Duo E6320

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

97%

#1052

Core i7-980X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $150

97%

#1053

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $10

97%

#1054

Core 2 Duo E6420

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

96%

#1055

Pentium D 940

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

94%

#1056

Phenom X4 9600B

MSRP: $278|Avg: $20

94%

#1057

Phenom II X3 B77

MSRP: $281|Avg: $35

93%

#1058

Core 2 Duo E6300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

92%

#1059

Core 2 Duo E6400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

91%

#1060

Core 2 Duo E8300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

91%

#1061

Phenom X4 9500

MSRP: $247|Avg: $30

90%

#1062

Celeron D 352

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

86%

#1063

Core i7-970

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8550

#711

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1027%

#712

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1012%

#713

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

929%

#714

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

924%

#715

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

916%

#717

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

885%

#718

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

848%

#719

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

847%

#720

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

824%

#723

Atom x5-Z8550

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-Z8550 (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8200	Atom x5-Z8550
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8200 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8200	Atom x5-Z8550
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ 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 E8200 Benchmark Check

Atom x5-Z8550 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8200 and Atom x5-Z8550

Core 2 Duo E8200

The Core 2 Duo E8200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $249.

Atom x5-Z8550

The Atom x5-Z8550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 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 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,143 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E8200 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8550 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8200 versus 2.4 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8550 — a 10.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8200 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8200 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8550 uses Cherry Trail (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8200 scores 1,144 against the Atom x5-Z8550's 1,143 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8200. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8200	Atom x5-Z8550
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.67 GHz+11%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+85%	1.44 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,144	1,143
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	650	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8200 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom x5-Z8550 uses UTFCBGA1380 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Duo E8200 versus LPDDR3-1600 on the Atom x5-Z8550 — the Atom x5-Z8550 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo E8200) vs 2 (Atom x5-Z8550) — the Atom x5-Z8550 offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P35,P45,G33,G45 (Core 2 Duo E8200) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8550).

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8200	Atom x5-Z8550
Socket	LGA775	UTFCBGA1380
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	LPDDR3-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	2

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E8200) / not specified (Atom x5-Z8550). The Atom x5-Z8550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)), while the Core 2 Duo E8200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E8200 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E8200 rivals Phenom II X2 550.