Pentium M 1.30 vs Atom N280

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 M 1.30 is positioned at rank 676 and the Atom N280 is on rank 367, so the Atom N280 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 M 1.30

#664

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

931%

#665

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

918%

#666

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

843%

#667

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

839%

#668

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

831%

#670

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

803%

#671

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

770%

#672

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

768%

#673

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

748%

#676

Pentium M 1.30

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom N280

#111

Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $180

100%

#355

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

515%

#356

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

507%

#357

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

466%

#358

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

464%

#359

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

459%

#361

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

444%

#362

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

425%

#363

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

425%

#364

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

413%

#367

Atom N280

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#375

Pentium Dual Core T3200

MSRP: $64|Avg: $5

99%

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 N280 (2009) utilizes 45 nm technology and modern memory, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium M 1.30	Atom N280
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Banias (2003) / 130 nm)	🛑 Legacy (DiamondVille (2008−2009) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium M 1.30 (2003) relies on 130 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium M 1.30	Atom N280
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 M 1.30 Benchmark Check

Atom N280 Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium M 1.30 and Atom N280

Pentium M 1.30

The Pentium M 1.30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Banias (2003) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 24 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 315 points. Launch price was $69.

Atom N280

The Atom N280 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the DiamondVille (2008−2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA437. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 285 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium M 1.30 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, matching the Atom N280's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Pentium M 1.30 versus 0.07 GHz on the Atom N280 — a 179.6% clock advantage for the Pentium M 1.30. The Pentium M 1.30 uses the Banias (2003) architecture (130 nm), while the Atom N280 uses DiamondVille (2008−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium M 1.30 scores 315 against the Atom N280's 285 — a 10% lead for the Pentium M 1.30. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium M 1.30	Atom N280
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 2
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz+1757%	0.07 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.66 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB
Process	130 nm	45 nm-65%
Architecture	Banias (2003)	DiamondVille (2008−2009)
PassMark	315+11%	285

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium M 1.30 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom N280 uses PBGA437 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.