Pentium M 1.40 vs Atom Z550

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 1.40 is positioned at rank 271 and the Atom Z550 is on rank 592, so the Pentium M 1.40 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 1.40

#256

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

425%

#257

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

419%

#258

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

385%

#259

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

383%

#260

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

379%

#262

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

366%

#263

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

351%

#264

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

351%

#265

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

341%

#271

Pentium M 1.40

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#274

Core 2 Extreme X9100

MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A

100%

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.

Insight	Pentium M 1.40	Atom Z550
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Banias (2003) / 130 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Silverthorne (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium M 1.40 (2003) relies on 130 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium M 1.40	Atom Z550
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 1.40 Benchmark Check

Atom Z550 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium M 1.40 and Atom Z550

Pentium M 1.40

The Pentium M 1.40 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: 1.4 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: 345 points. Launch price was $69.

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 M 1.40 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, matching the Atom Z550's 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Pentium M 1.40 versus 2 GHz on the Atom Z550 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Atom Z550. The Pentium M 1.40 uses the Banias (2003) architecture (130 nm), while the Atom Z550 uses Silverthorne (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium M 1.40 scores 345 against the Atom Z550's 375 — a 8.3% lead for the Atom Z550. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium M 1.40	Atom Z550
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 2
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	2 GHz+43%
Base Clock	—	2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	130 nm	45 nm-65%
Architecture	Banias (2003)	Silverthorne (2008−2010)
PassMark	345	375+9%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium M 1.40 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom Z550 uses PBGA441 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.