
Core i5-4300M vs Atom x5-Z8300

Core i5-4300M

Atom x5-Z8300
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4300M
Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4300M | Atom 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
| Insight | Core i5-4300M | Atom x5-Z8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1025%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($227) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
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 i5-4300M and Atom x5-Z8300

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.

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.
| Feature | Core i5-4300M | Atom 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.
| Feature | Core i5-4300M | Atom 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.
| Feature | Core i5-4300M | Atom 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.
| Feature | Core i5-4300M | Atom x5-Z8300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $227 | $20-91% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2015 |
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