Phenom X3 8750 vs Atom N550
Phenom X3 8750
Atom N550
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 Phenom X3 8750 is positioned at rank 1043 and the Atom N550 is on rank 618, so the Atom N550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8750
Performance Per Dollar Atom N550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X3 8750 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Pineview (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X3 8750 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Phenom X3 8750 and Atom N550
Phenom X3 8750
The Phenom X3 8750 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,445 points. Launch price was $149.
Atom N550
The Atom N550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pineview (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,435 points. Launch price was $86.
Processing Power
The Phenom X3 8750 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Atom N550 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X3 8750 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Phenom X3 8750 versus 1.5 GHz on the Atom N550 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8750. The Phenom X3 8750 uses the Toliman (2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Atom N550 uses Pineview (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X3 8750 scores 1,445 against the Atom N550's 1,435 — a 0.7% lead for the Phenom X3 8750. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8750 vs 0 kB on the Atom N550.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8750 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz+60% | 1.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Toliman (2008) | Pineview (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,445 | 1,435 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X3 8750 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom N550 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8750 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | FCBGA559 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 2 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 1 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
The Atom N550 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), while the Phenom X3 8750 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8750 | Atom N550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel GMA 3150 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Phenom X3 8750 and Atom N550
