CPU
GPU
Core i5-2500S
Atom Z3740
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 i5-2500S is positioned at rank 854 and the Atom Z3740 is on rank 172, so the Atom Z3740 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500S
Performance Per Dollar Atom Z3740
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500S | Atom Z3740 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($61) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500S | Atom Z3740 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($61) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i5-2500S and Atom Z3740
Core i5-2500S
The Core i5-2500S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,373 points. Launch price was $75.
Atom Z3740
The Atom Z3740 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,380 points. Launch price was $32.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-2500S and Atom Z3740 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S versus 1.86 GHz on the Atom Z3740 — a 66.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Core i5-2500S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom Z3740 uses Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500S scores 3,373 against the Atom Z3740's 3,380 — a 0.2% lead for the Atom Z3740. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S vs 0 kB on the Atom Z3740.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Atom Z3740 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+99% | 1.86 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+103% | 1.33 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 3,373 | 3,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom Z3740 uses UTFCBGA1380 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2500S supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2500S) vs 0 (Atom Z3740) — the Core i5-2500S offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2500S) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom Z3740).
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Atom Z3740 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | UTFCBGA1380 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | LPDDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+700% | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S) / not specified (Atom Z3740). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500S) and Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Atom Z3740) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Atom Z3740 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-2500S and Atom Z3740
