Xeon W3520 vs Atom x5-Z8300

Xeon W3520

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2009

Atom x5-Z8300

4 Cores4 Thrd−WMax: 1.84 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon W3520

4 / 8

2,940

+0.2%

2,934

0.0%

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 Xeon W3520 is positioned at rank 861 and the Atom x5-Z8300 is on rank 4, so the Atom x5-Z8300 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 Xeon W3520

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

20080%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3791%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

3368%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2602%

#485

Xeon Gold 6258R

MSRP: $3950|Avg: $1400

99%

#486

EPYC 9175F

MSRP: $4256|Avg: $3703

99%

#488

EPYC 9534

MSRP: $8803|Avg: $2999

98%

#489

EPYC 9654

MSRP: $11805|Avg: $5345

98%

#490

EPYC 7H12

MSRP: $6950|Avg: $1340

97%

#491

EPYC 7742

MSRP: $6950|Avg: $800

97%

#492

Xeon Platinum 8352M

MSRP: $4471|Avg: $4471

96%

#493

Xeon Platinum 8570

MSRP: $9595|Avg: $9595

94%

#861

Xeon W3520

MSRP: $284|Avg: $15

100%

#862

Xeon E3-1271 v3

MSRP: $727|Avg: $831

100%

#863

Xeon E5603

MSRP: $188|Avg: N/A

99%

#871

Xeon 6315P

MSRP: $1166|Avg: $160

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8300

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

100%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

99%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

90%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

90%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

89%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

86%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

83%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

82%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

80%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

74%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

73%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

72%

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 x5-Z8300 (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon W3520	Atom x5-Z8300
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Cherry Trail (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon W3520 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon W3520	Atom x5-Z8300
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+34%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)

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.

Xeon W3520 Benchmark Check

Atom x5-Z8300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon W3520 and Atom x5-Z8300

Xeon W3520

The Xeon W3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,940 points. Launch price was $404.

Atom x5-Z8300

The Atom x5-Z8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.84 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,934 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon W3520 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Atom x5-Z8300's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Xeon W3520 versus 1.84 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8300 — a 45.7% clock advantage for the Xeon W3520 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Xeon W3520 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8300 uses Cherry Trail (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon W3520 scores 2,940 against the Atom x5-Z8300's 2,934 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon W3520. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3520 vs 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8300.

Feature	Xeon W3520	Atom x5-Z8300
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz+59%	1.84 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+85%	1.44 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,940	2,934

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon W3520 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom x5-Z8300 uses UTFCBGA592 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon W3520	Atom x5-Z8300
Socket	LGA1366	UTFCBGA592
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-RS 1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	2 GB
RAM Channels	—	1
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	1