AMD Ryzen 3 5400U vs Intel Atom x7211RE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity in this matchup. The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U dominates the Intel Atom x7211RE across every single benchmark where both processors have overlapping scores. In the five head-to-head tests available in the database, the AMD chip wins all five, with the Atom trailing by roughly 80% in each case.

The largest gap appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Ryzen 3 5400U scores 554 against the Atom's 106, a delta of -80.9%. That is not a marginal difference; it is a fundamental chasm in per-thread performance. In multi-core workloads the story is identical: Cinebench R23 multicore shows the AMD part at 9350 versus 1804 for the Intel Atom, again about an 80.7% deficit. Cinebench R15 multicore tells the same tale with 942 versus 181 (-80.8%), and Cinebench R20 multicore follows at 3927 versus 757 (-80.7%).

Single-core Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: 1320 for the Ryzen, 254 for the Atom, a -80.8% gap. There is no workload in the head-to-head set where the Atom closes the distance. The smallest relative deficit is still 80.7%, which means the Ryzen 3 5400U is roughly five times faster in every tested scenario. The data does not show a single bright spot for the Intel part in any direct comparison.

Beyond the head-to-head set, the broader benchmark scores reinforce the same conclusion. The Atom's average benchmark score sits at 2811, while the Ryzen 3 5400U averages 2765. That near-parity in average score is misleading, however, because the two chips were tested on different suites. The Atom's Passmark results (single-thread 1317, multithread 2123, integer math 6517, floating-point math 4303) are respectable for a low-power part, but they do not change the outcome of the direct comparisons. The Ryzen's Geekbench scores (single-core 1419, multi-core 4473) and Cinebench numbers place it in a completely different performance class.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the Ryzen 3 5400U wins in every category that has a direct comparison. That includes all five Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core rendering, physics simulation, and general compute. The AMD chip is the clear choice for any application that relies on CPU throughput, from video encoding to software compilation to 3D rendering.

The Intel Atom x7211RE does not win any head-to-head test in the database. However, its own standalone benchmarks show where it can operate acceptably. Passmark data compression (20820) and random string sorting (2712) are numbers that indicate it can handle lightweight data tasks, though no rival score is available for direct comparison. Its data encryption score (1556) and extended instructions score (1007) suggest it can manage basic security and SIMD workloads without collapsing, but these figures are far below what the Ryzen would likely produce if measured on the same tests.

The practical split is straightforward: the Ryzen 3 5400U is for users who need real compute power in a mobile form factor. The Atom x7211RE is for embedded or low-power scenarios where the absolute performance ceiling matters less than the 6W thermal envelope. The data shows the Atom's single-thread Passmark score of 1317 places it in the 51st percentile of all CPUs, which is surprisingly competitive for such a low-power design, but that percentile does not translate into a win against the Ryzen, which sits at the 50th percentile. The two chips occupy similar percentile rankings despite the massive benchmark gaps, which suggests the Atom's limited test set inflates its relative standing.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is wide and explains the benchmark results. The Intel Atom x7211RE uses the Amston Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process, and features Gracemont efficiency cores. It has 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Its cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The chip is built for low power with a 6W TDP, and it uses a single-channel memory bus supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, delivering 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. It comes with UHD Graphics 16EU integrated graphics and Gen 3 PCIe with 9 CPU lanes. The socket is Intel BGA 1264.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U is a completely different animal. It uses the Zen 3 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm process, with 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clock is 2.60 GHz, boost clock is 4.00 GHz, and the TDP is 15W, more than double the Atom's. It has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 only, but the bus is dual-channel, giving 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 6, and PCIe is Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes. The socket is AMD Socket FP6, and the chip includes 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die.

The transistor count difference is staggering: 10,700 million on the AMD die versus no listed count for the Atom. The process node advantage also matters, with TSMC's 7 nm offering higher density and efficiency than Intel's 10 nm in this comparison. The Ryzen's simultaneous multithreading (8 threads from 4 cores) doubles the thread count, which is a major factor in the multi-core benchmark results. The Atom has no SMT, hence 2 threads from 2 cores.

The memory subsystem also favors AMD: dual-channel versus single-channel, and 51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. That bandwidth advantage appears in any memory-sensitive workload. The L3 cache is also larger on the AMD chip (8 MB versus 6 MB), and the L2 is per-core rather than shared, which reduces cache contention.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Atom x7211RE has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Atom x7211RE has a TDP of 6W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U has a TDP of 15W.

Q: Does the Intel Atom support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the Atom x7211RE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the Ryzen 3 5400U supports only DDR4.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The Ryzen 3 5400U scores 1320 versus the Atom's 254, a delta of -80.8% for the Atom.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U boosts to 4.00 GHz, compared to 3.20 GHz for the Intel Atom x7211RE.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: Yes, both are listed as Active in production status.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Atom x7211RE | AMD Ryzen 3 5400U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 2 | 8 |

| Base clock | 1.00 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 6W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Amston Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Amston Lake | Cezanne-U |

| Generation | Atom (Gracemont) | Ryzen 3 (Zen 3 (Cezanne)) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 10,700 million |

| Die size | Not listed | 180 mm² |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (shared) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 16EU | Radeon Vega 6 |

| Launch MSRP | $42 | Not listed |

| Part number | SRNET | 100-000000288 |

| Release date | April 2024 | January 2021 |

The specification table shows a clean divide: the Atom is optimized for minimum power consumption and cost, while the Ryzen is built for real throughput. The 9 versus 8 PCIe lane difference is minor, but the memory bandwidth gap (51.2 versus 38.4 GB/s) and the thread count gap (8 versus 2) are decisive for any compute-heavy task. The Atom's launch MSRP of $42 reflects its positioning, but the Ryzen's lack of a listed MSRP means no direct price comparison is possible from the data. The benchmark results, however, make the performance hierarchy unambiguous.