Core i5-2557M vs Atom N570

CPU

GPU

Core i5-2557M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2011

Atom N570

2 Cores4 Thrd9 WWMax: 1.67 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2557M

2 / 4

1,618

0.0%

1,630

+0.7%

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 i5-2557M is positioned at rank 36 and the Atom N570 is on rank 35, so the Atom N570 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 i5-2557M

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

88%

#24

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

181%

#25

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

179%

#26

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

164%

#27

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

163%

#28

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

162%

#30

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

156%

#31

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

150%

#32

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

150%

#33

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

146%

#36

Core i5-2557M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

96%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

95%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

92%

#51

Celeron N2807

MSRP: $107|Avg: $60

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom N570

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

87%

#23

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

180%

#24

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

177%

#25

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

163%

#26

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

162%

#27

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

161%

#29

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

155%

#30

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

149%

#31

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

148%

#32

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

144%

#35

Atom N570

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

95%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

94%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-2557M leads in gaming performance. However, the Atom N570 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-2557M	Atom N570
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Pineview (2009−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-2557M	Atom N570
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i5-2557M Benchmark Check

Atom N570 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2557M and Atom N570

Core i5-2557M

The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.

Atom N570

The Atom N570 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 1.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,630 points. Launch price was $86.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2557M and Atom N570 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M versus 1.67 GHz on the Atom N570 — a 47.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.66 GHz). The Core i5-2557M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom N570 uses Pineview (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2557M scores 1,618 against the Atom N570's 1,630 — a 0.7% lead for the Atom N570. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M vs 0 kB on the Atom N570.

Feature	Core i5-2557M	Atom N570
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+62%	1.67 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+2%	1.66 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Pineview (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,618	1,630
Geekbench 6 Single	521	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	882	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2557M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom N570 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2557M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-2557M) vs 1 (Atom N570). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2557M) vs 0 (Atom N570) — the Core i5-2557M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M) and Intel NM10 (Atom N570).

Feature	Core i5-2557M	Atom N570
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA559
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-667
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+300%	2 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M) / not specified (Atom N570). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) and Intel GMA 3150 (Atom N570) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.