Core 2 Duo E8235 vs Atom x5-Z8330

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8330

#766

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1145%

#767

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1128%

#768

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1036%

#769

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1031%

#770

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1021%

#772

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

986%

#773

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

946%

#774

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

944%

#775

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

919%

#778

Atom x5-Z8330

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#790

Athlon 64 TF-20

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

97%

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-Z8330 (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3L-RS 1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8235	Atom x5-Z8330
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Airmont (2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8235 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8235	Atom x5-Z8330
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 E8235 Benchmark Check

Atom x5-Z8330 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8235 and Atom x5-Z8330

Core 2 Duo E8235

The Core 2 Duo E8235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $249.

Atom x5-Z8330

The Atom x5-Z8330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Memory support: DDR3L-RS 1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,025 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E8235 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8330 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8235 versus 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8330 — a 37.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8235 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8235 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8330 uses Airmont (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8235 scores 1,020 against the Atom x5-Z8330's 1,025 — a 0.5% lead for the Atom x5-Z8330.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8235	Atom x5-Z8330
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+46%	1.92 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+94%	1.44 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Airmont (2016)
PassMark	1,020	1,025