Core i5-6260U vs Atom x5-E8000
Core i5-6260U
Atom x5-E8000
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 i5-6260U is positioned at rank 406 and the Atom x5-E8000 is on rank 18, so the Atom x5-E8000 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6260U
Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-E8000
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6260U | Atom x5-E8000 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($18) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6260U | Atom x5-E8000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($18) |
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 i5-6260U and Atom x5-E8000
Core i5-6260U
The Core i5-6260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.
Atom x5-E8000
The Atom x5-E8000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.04 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,219 points. Launch price was $39.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Atom x5-E8000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-E8000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U versus 1.04 GHz on the Atom x5-E8000 — a 94.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-6260U. The Core i5-6260U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Atom x5-E8000 uses Cherry Trail (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6260U scores 3,200 against the Atom x5-E8000's 3,219 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-E8000. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-6260U vs 0 kB on the Atom x5-E8000.
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | Atom x5-E8000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz+179% | 1.04 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Cherry Trail (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 3,200 | 3,219 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 979 | — |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U versus DDR3L-1600 on the Atom x5-E8000 — the Core i5-6260U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6260U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-6260U) vs 4 (Atom x5-E8000) — the Core i5-6260U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U) and Intel FCBGA1170 (Atom x5-E8000).
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | Atom x5-E8000 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+300% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12+200% | 4 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U) / not specified (Atom x5-E8000). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 540 (Core i5-6260U) and Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) (Atom x5-E8000) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | Atom x5-E8000 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Graphics 540 | Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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