Pentium 4 2.53
VS
Atom Z550

Pentium 4 2.53 vs Atom Z550

Intel

Pentium 4 2.53

1 Cores1 Thrd110 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2002
VS
Intel

Atom Z550

1 Cores2 Thrd2.4 WWMax: 2 GHz2009

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 Pentium 4 2.53 is positioned at rank 1107 and the Atom Z550 is on rank 592, so the Atom Z550 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 Pentium 4 2.53

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
174142%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
164547%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
119475%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
35993%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
28510%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
24941%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
14285%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
14098%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
12837%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
12836%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
12692%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
12350%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
12177%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
12128%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
12018%
#1107
Pentium 4 2.53
MSRP: $193|Avg: $13
100%
#1108
Pentium 4 2.40
MSRP: $193|Avg: $193
94%
#1109
Athlon XP 2400+
MSRP: $193|Avg: $10
88%
#1110
Pentium D 950
MSRP: $637|Avg: $10
82%
#1111
Athlon XP 1500+
MSRP: $130|Avg: $15
81%
#1112
Athlon 64 4000+
MSRP: $482|Avg: $30
78%
#1113
Pentium 4 2.66
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
70%
#1114
Athlon XP 1600+
MSRP: $160|Avg: $15
70%
#1115
Pentium 4 2.80
MSRP: $327|Avg: $25
70%
#1116
Athlon 64 3400+
MSRP: $440|Avg: $20
69%
#1117
Pentium 4 2.26
MSRP: $241|Avg: $20
68%
#1118
Athlon 64 3200+
MSRP: $417|Avg: $10
68%
#1119
Athlon 64 FX-60
MSRP: $1031|Avg: $1000
65%
#1120
Pentium Extreme Edition 965
MSRP: $999|Avg: $100
65%
#1121
Athlon XP 2200+
MSRP: $241|Avg: $30
65%
#1122
Athlon XP 1700+
MSRP: $190|Avg: $15
63%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom Z550

#184
Core Ultra 7 266V
MSRP: $520|Avg: $520
99%
#580
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
782%
#581
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
771%
#582
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
708%
#583
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
705%
#584
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
698%
#586
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
674%
#587
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
646%
#588
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
645%
#589
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
628%
#592
Atom Z550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom Z550 (2009) utilizes 45 nm technology and unknown, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightPentium 4 2.53Atom Z550
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($13)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 130 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Silverthorne (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium 4 2.53 (2002) relies on 130 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightPentium 4 2.53Atom Z550
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($13)
More affordable ($0)

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 Pentium 4 2.53 and Atom Z550

Intel

Pentium 4 2.53

The Pentium 4 2.53 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 345 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Atom Z550

The Atom Z550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Silverthorne (2008−2010) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA441. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.4 Watt. Memory support: unknown. Passmark benchmark score: 375 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Pentium 4 2.53 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, matching the Atom Z550's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.53 versus 2 GHz on the Atom Z550 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Pentium 4 2.53. The Pentium 4 2.53 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (130 nm), while the Atom Z550 uses Silverthorne (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 4 2.53 scores 345 against the Atom Z550's 375 — a 8.3% lead for the Atom Z550. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeaturePentium 4 2.53Atom Z550
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
1 / 2
Boost Clock
2.53 GHz+26%
2 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB (per core)
Process
130 nm
45 nm-65%
Architecture
NetBurst (2000−2006)
Silverthorne (2008−2010)
PassMark
345
375+9%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium 4 2.53 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom Z550 uses PBGA441 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium 4 2.53Atom Z550
Socket
PGA478
PBGA441
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-533
Max RAM Capacity
2 GB
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0