Core i5-4300M
VS
Atom x5-Z8300

Core i5-4300M vs Atom x5-Z8300

Intel

Core i5-4300M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Atom x5-Z8300

4 Cores4 ThrdWMax: 1.84 GHz2015

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 i5-4300M is positioned at rank 1017 and the Atom x5-Z8300 is on rank 4, so the Atom x5-Z8300 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 i5-4300M

#1005
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2250%
#1006
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2217%
#1007
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2035%
#1008
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2026%
#1009
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2008%
#1011
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1939%
#1012
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1859%
#1013
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1856%
#1014
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1806%
#1017
Core i5-4300M
MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A
100%
#1018
Celeron 1005M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
100%
#1019
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
99%
#1020
Athlon Neo MV-40
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
98%
#1021
Core i7-4860EQ
MSRP: $434|Avg: $80
97%
#1022
Pentium SU2700
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
97%
#1023
A4-1250
MSRP: $100|Avg: $30
96%
#1025
Core i5-4200M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
96%
#1026
Celeron 1000M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
95%
#1028
Celeron B840
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
95%
#1029
Celeron M 743
MSRP: $107|Avg: $15
95%
#1030
Core i7-3612QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
95%
#1031
Pentium 967
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
94%
#1032
Core i5-4400E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $50
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8300

#4
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
100%
#5
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
99%
#6
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
90%
#7
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
90%
#8
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
89%
#10
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
86%
#11
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
83%
#12
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
82%
#13
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
80%
#17
Core i3-350M
MSRP: $130|Avg: $10
74%
#18
Atom x5-E8000
MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A
73%
#19
Core 2 Duo T5900
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
72%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-4300M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Atom x5-Z8300 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.9% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i5-4300MAtom x5-Z8300
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($227)
More affordable ($20)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Atom x5-Z8300 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $20 (vs $227), it costs 91% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 1025% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-4300M.
InsightCore i5-4300MAtom x5-Z8300
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+1025%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($227)
More affordable ($20)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4300M and Atom x5-Z8300

Intel

Core i5-4300M

The Core i5-4300M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,960 points. Launch price was $227.

Intel

Atom x5-Z8300

The Atom x5-Z8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 March 2015 (10 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 1.84 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,934 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-4300M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4300M versus 1.84 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8300 — a 56.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-4300M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Core i5-4300M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8300 uses Cherry Trail (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4300M scores 2,960 against the Atom x5-Z8300's 2,934 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-4300M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4300M vs 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8300.

FeatureCore i5-4300MAtom x5-Z8300
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz+79%
1.84 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+81%
1.44 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
2 MB+700%
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Cherry Trail (2015−2016)
PassMark
2,960
2,934
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4300M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom x5-Z8300 uses UTFCBGA592 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-4300MAtom x5-Z8300
Socket
PGA946
UTFCBGA592
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-RS 1600
Max RAM Capacity
2 GB
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
1
🔧

Advanced Features

The Atom x5-Z8300 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)), while the Core i5-4300M requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i5-4300MAtom x5-Z8300
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-4300M launched at $227 MSRP, while the Atom x5-Z8300 debuted at $20.

FeatureCore i5-4300MAtom x5-Z8300
MSRP
$227
$20-91%
Release Date
2013
2015