Core i3-390M vs Atom Z2580
Core i3-390M
Atom Z2580
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-390M is positioned at rank 585 and the Atom Z2580 is on rank 9, so the Atom Z2580 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-390M
Performance Per Dollar Atom Z2580
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-390M | Atom Z2580 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clovertrail (2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-390M | Atom Z2580 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 Core i3-390M and Atom Z2580
Core i3-390M
The Core i3-390M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,292 points. Launch price was $39.
Atom Z2580
The Atom Z2580 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Clovertrail (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FC-MB4760. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,303 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-390M and Atom Z2580 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core i3-390M versus 2 GHz on the Atom Z2580 — a 99.6% clock advantage for the Atom Z2580. The Core i3-390M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom Z2580 uses Clovertrail (2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-390M scores 1,292 against the Atom Z2580's 1,303 — a 0.8% lead for the Atom Z2580. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-390M vs 0 kB on the Atom Z2580.
| Feature | Core i3-390M | Atom Z2580 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 0.67 GHz | 2 GHz+199% |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Clovertrail (2013) |
| PassMark | 1,292 | 1,303 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-390M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom Z2580 uses FC-MB4760 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-390M versus LPDDR2-1066 on the Atom Z2580 — the Core i3-390M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-390M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-390M) vs 0 (Atom Z2580) — the Core i3-390M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i3-390M | Atom Z2580 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FC-MB4760 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066+50% | LPDDR2-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+300% | 2 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-390M) / not specified (Atom Z2580). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i3-390M) and PowerVR SGX544MP2 (Atom Z2580) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-390M targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i3-390M | Atom Z2580 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics | PowerVR SGX544MP2 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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