CPU Comparison
Intel Atom C5125
Core i5-8500T
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Atom C5125 vs Intel Core i5-8500T
The Intel Atom C5125 and Intel Core i5-8500T are two very different processors that end up in a similar performance bracket. The Atom is a 10 nm server/workstation part from the Parker Ridge family, while the Core i5 is a 14 nm desktop chip based on Coffee Lake. Despite their architectural distance, their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the Atom posting 2122 against the Core i5's 2110. That 0.6% gap places them as direct rivals in the database, but the way they achieve those scores could not be more different.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head data is remarkably one-sided. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Atom C5125 wins every single matchup. The margins are consistent, hovering just under 12% in each case. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Atom scores 739 against the Core i5's 662, a delta of 11.6%. The single-core version of that same test shows 104 versus 93, an 11.8% lead for the Atom. These are not marginal victories; they represent a clear and repeatable performance advantage.
The pattern continues in the R20 and R23 suites. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Atom posts 3081 while the Core i5 manages 2759, a 11.7% difference. Single-core R20 sees 434 against 389, another 11.6% gap. Moving to R23, the Atom scores 7336 multicore and 1035 single-core, while the Core i5 trails with 6571 and 927 respectively. The deltas there are 11.6% and 11.7%. No test shows the Core i5 pulling ahead. The Atom's advantage is not concentrated in one workload type; it spans both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios with nearly identical margins.
This uniformity is worth noting. The Atom wins by roughly the same percentage in every test, suggesting a fundamental per-clock efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The Core i5 has a higher boost clock at 3.50 GHz versus the Atom's fixed 2.80 GHz, but that does not translate into a win. The Atom's newer 10 nm process and Tremont architecture appear to deliver more work per cycle. The data shows a clean sweep: 6 wins for the Atom, 0 for the Core i5.
The Verdict
The benchmark data points to one clear conclusion: the Intel Atom C5125 is the faster processor in every measured scenario. If the decision rests purely on Cinebench performance, the Atom is the pick. It leads by 11.6% to 11.8% across the board, a substantial and consistent margin. The Core i5-8500T never comes within striking distance in any test.
However, the Core i5 is not without its own merits. It runs at a lower 35 W TDP compared to the Atom's 50 W, making it the more power-efficient option on paper. It also includes integrated UHD 630 graphics, which the Atom lacks entirely. For a system that needs a display output without a discrete GPU, the Core i5 is the only viable choice. The Atom's market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, which implies a headless or GPU-equipped environment.
The production status also differs. The Core i5 is end-of-life, while the Atom is active. For new designs, the Atom represents a currently available part. The Core i5, despite being slower in these tests, still holds a percentile rank of 46 against all CPUs, matching the Atom's percentile. Neither chip is a standout in the broader CPU landscape, but within this pairing, the Atom is the performance leader. Choose the Atom for raw compute, the Core i5 for integrated graphics and lower power draw.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?
A: The Intel Atom C5125 scores 1035 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i5-8500T scores 927. The Atom leads by 11.7%.
Q: How much faster is the Atom in multi-core workloads?
A: In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Atom scores 3081 versus the Core i5's 2759, a delta of 11.7%. In R15 multicore, the scores are 739 and 662, a 11.6% difference.
Q: Does the Core i5-8500T have integrated graphics?
A: Yes, the Core i5-8500T includes UHD 630 integrated graphics. The Intel Atom C5125 lists its integrated graphics as N/A.
Q: What is the power draw difference between these two chips?
A: The Intel Atom C5125 has a TDP of 50 W, while the Intel Core i5-8500T has a TDP of 35 W. The Core i5 is the lower-power part.
Q: Are both processors still in production?
A: No. The Intel Atom C5125 is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i5-8500T is marked as End-of-life.
Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?
A: The Intel Atom C5125 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8500T does not support ECC.
Specification Differences
The two processors diverge significantly on core counts and clock speeds. The Intel Atom C5125 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Atom's base clock is 2.80 GHz with no boost clock listed, whereas the Core i5 has a lower 2.10 GHz base clock but a 3.50 GHz boost clock. This means the Core i5 can reach higher peak frequencies under load, yet the Atom still wins every benchmark.
Thermal design power differs as well. The Atom is rated at 50 W, the Core i5 at 35 W. The sockets are incompatible: the Atom uses Intel BGA 2106, while the Core i5 uses Intel Socket 1151. Memory bandwidth favors the Atom at 46.9 GB/s versus the Core i5's 42.7 GB/s, though both support dual-channel DDR4. ECC memory support is present on the Atom but absent on the Core i5. The Core i5 includes UHD 630 integrated graphics; the Atom has none. The release dates are far apart, with the Core i5 launching in April 2018 and the Atom in June 2022.
Architecture Differences
The architectural gap is substantial. The Atom C5125 is built on a 10 nm process node, while the Core i5-8500T uses the older 14 nm node. The Atom's codename is Parker Ridge, belonging to the Atom (Tremont) generation. The Core i5's codename is Coffee Lake, part of the Core i5 (Coffee Lake) family. This generational difference explains the Atom's efficiency gains despite a lower clock speed.
Cache layouts are completely different. The Atom has 64 KB of L1 per core and 4.5 MB of L2 per module, with no L3 cache listed. The Core i5 also has 64 KB of L1 per core but uses 256 KB of L2 per core and adds 9 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having a larger total cache pool, the Core i5 cannot outrun the Atom's newer architecture. The Atom's cache design is tailored for its server/workstation role, prioritizing throughput over latency hiding. The Core i5's shared L3 is a more conventional desktop design. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), so expansion capability is equal.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Atom C5125 wins in every benchmark category measured. If the workload is Cinebench-based rendering or similar multi-threaded compute, the Atom is the clear choice. Its 11.6% to 11.8% lead in both single-core and multi-core tests means it handles both lightly threaded and heavily threaded tasks better. The data shows no scenario where the Core i5 outperforms the Atom in raw processing.
The Intel Core i5-8500T has its own niche. It is the only one of the two with integrated graphics, making it suitable for systems that need a built-in display output. Its lower 35 W TDP makes it a better fit for power-constrained builds where the Atom's 50 W would be too high. The Core i5 also has a higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz, which could theoretically benefit bursty workloads, though the benchmark results do not reflect any such advantage. For a desktop user who needs a quiet, low-power machine with graphics output, the Core i5 makes sense. For a server or workstation where compute density matters and a discrete GPU is assumed, the Atom is the superior part. The data is unambiguous: 6 benchmark wins for the Atom, 0 for the Core i5.