Pentium Gold 8500 vs Microsoft SQ1

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 Gold 8500 is positioned at rank 527 and the Microsoft SQ1 is on rank 877, so the Pentium Gold 8500 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 Gold 8500

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

99%

#169

Core i7-1280P

MSRP: $482|Avg: $482

98%

#515

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

691%

#516

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

680%

#517

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

625%

#518

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

622%

#519

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

616%

#521

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

595%

#522

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

570%

#523

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

570%

#524

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

554%

#527

Pentium Gold 8500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Microsoft SQ1

#865

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1458%

#866

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1436%

#867

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1318%

#868

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1312%

#869

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1300%

#871

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1256%

#872

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1204%

#873

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1202%

#874

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1170%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

100%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#883

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

99%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

97%

#892

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Pentium Gold 8500 leads in gaming performance. However, the Microsoft SQ1 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.5% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Pentium Gold 8500	Microsoft SQ1
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm)	✨ Modern (Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) / 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Pentium Gold 8500	Microsoft SQ1
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)

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.

Pentium Gold 8500 Benchmark Check

Microsoft SQ1 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Gold 8500 and Microsoft SQ1

Pentium Gold 8500

The Pentium Gold 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Max frequency: 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 29 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5-5200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 5,949 points. Launch price was $69.

Microsoft SQ1

The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Gold 8500 packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Microsoft SQ1 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Microsoft SQ1 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 8500 versus 3 GHz on the Microsoft SQ1 — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 8500. The Microsoft SQ1 is built on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 8500 scores 5,949 against the Microsoft SQ1's 6,039 — a 1.5% lead for the Microsoft SQ1. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium Gold 8500 vs 2 MB on the Microsoft SQ1.

Feature	Pentium Gold 8500	Microsoft SQ1
Cores / Threads	5 / 6	8 / 8+60%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+47%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+300%	2 MB
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	—	Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019)
PassMark	5,949	6,039+2%