AMD Ryzen 5 3500X vs Intel Atom x7809C Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Atom x7809C claims only a single victory. The Ryzen 5 3500X leads by margins ranging from 3.3% in random string sorting to a commanding 77.7% in prime number finding. The Atom x7809C’s sole win comes in data encryption, where it outperforms the Ryzen by 7.6%. For workloads dominated by general processing, rendering, or math-heavy tasks, the Ryzen 5 3500X is the clear choice. The Atom x7809C, with its 25-watt design and mobile segment positioning, is better suited for low-power embedded or portable scenarios where the encryption advantage and efficiency profile matter more than raw compute throughput. Both processors sit at the 67th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite their divergent architectures.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Atom x7809C uses the Amston Lake architecture built on Gracemont cores, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundries. It packs 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The chip is rated at a 25-watt TDP and targets the mobile market segment, using an Intel BGA 1264 socket. Its cache hierarchy consists of 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5, but only through a single-channel memory bus with a peak bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Atom provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes from the CPU and has no integrated graphics.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X belongs to the 3000 series and uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse. It is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, with 3,800 million transistors packed into a 74 mm² die. The chip provides 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Its TDP is 65 watts, and it uses the AMD Socket AM4. The cache configuration is notably different: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB of shared L3. Memory support is limited to DDR4, but through a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ryzen offers PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes from the CPU and includes no integrated graphics. The Ryzen is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, which the Atom lacks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent pattern across all versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen scores 1128 against the Atom’s 805, a 28.6% deficit for the Intel part. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 159 versus 113, or 28.9% behind. Cinebench R20 multicore continues the trend with the Ryzen at 4702 and the Atom at 3358, again a 28.6% difference. The R20 single-core result is 663 versus 474, a 28.5% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 11196 for the Ryzen and 7997 for the Atom, while the single-core run shows 1580 against 1129. Across all six Cinebench variants, the Ryzen holds a nearly uniform advantage of roughly 28.5% to 28.9%, indicating the performance gap is consistent regardless of workload intensity or core count scaling.

The PassMark suite reveals where each chip has strengths and weaknesses. In data compression, the Ryzen scores 143701 against the Atom’s 111525, a 22.4% lead. Floating point math shows the Ryzen ahead by 22.7% with scores of 23095 versus 17856. Integer math is closer: 32564 versus 28946, an 11.1% edge for the AMD part. The multi-thread test gives the Ryzen a 28.6% advantage, 13172 to 9409. Physics simulation is a major win for the Ryzen, 1234 versus 686, a 44.4% margin. Single-thread performance is another large gap: 2502 versus 1462, or 41.6% behind for the Atom.

The most dramatic difference appears in extended instructions, where the Ryzen scores 14053 against the Atom’s 5509, a 60.8% deficit for Intel. Prime number finding is even worse for the Atom: 130 versus 29, a 77.7% shortfall. Random string sorting is comparatively close, with the Ryzen at 16263 and the Atom at 15728, just 3.3% apart. Notably, the Atom wins data encryption with 7832 points versus 7276, a 7.6% lead, making it the only test where the Intel part finishes ahead.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every relevant specification field. The Atom has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Ryzen has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for the Atom and 3.60 GHz for the Ryzen, a 1.60 GHz difference. Boost clocks are 3.60 GHz versus 4.10 GHz, respectively. TDP ratings are 25 watts for the Atom and 65 watts for the Ryzen, a significant power envelope gap. The process node is 10 nm for Intel versus 7 nm for AMD, with the Ryzen built by TSMC rather than Intel.

Cache configurations are structurally distinct. The Atom uses 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per module, and 6 MB shared L3. The Ryzen uses 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. The Ryzen’s L3 is over five times larger. Memory support differs: the Atom accepts both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ryzen only supports DDR4. Memory bus width is single-channel for the Atom versus dual-channel for the Ryzen, with bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. PCIe capability is also different: Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the Atom, Gen 4 with 24 lanes for the Ryzen. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier, while the Atom does not. The Atom targets the mobile segment and uses a BGA socket, whereas the Ryzen is a desktop part on Socket AM4.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Atom x7809C has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How does single-thread performance compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 3500X leads by 41.6% in the PassMark single-thread test, scoring 2502 versus 1462 for the Atom. The Cinebench R23 single-core result shows a 28.5% advantage for the Ryzen, 1580 versus 1129.

Q: In which test does the Atom outperform the Ryzen?

A: The Atom x7809C wins the PassMark data encryption test, scoring 7832 against the Ryzen’s 7276, a 7.6% margin.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ryzen scores 130 and the Atom scores 29, giving the AMD part a 77.7% advantage.

Q: What are the TDP and socket differences?

A: The Atom is rated at 25 watts and uses Intel BGA 1264, while the Ryzen is rated at 65 watts and uses AMD Socket AM4.

Q: Which chip supports faster PCIe?

A: The Ryzen 5 3500X supports PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes, while the Atom x7809C is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X is the dominant performer across the vast majority of recorded benchmarks. It wins every Cinebench test, all PassMark math and compression workloads, physics simulation, multi-threaded tasks, and single-threaded operations. The margins are substantial in most cases, particularly in extended instructions (60.8% ahead), prime number finding (77.7% ahead), and physics (44.4% ahead). The Ryzen’s higher clock speeds, larger L3 cache, dual-channel memory, and newer PCIe standard make it the appropriate choice for desktop workloads such as rendering, simulation, software compilation, or any task that stresses general-purpose compute. Its unlocked multiplier also allows for user-controlled overclocking, which the database does not test directly but which adds flexibility for performance tuning.

The Intel Atom x7809C wins only the data encryption test, where its 7.6% margin suggests a specific advantage in cryptographic workloads. Beyond that single score, its strengths lie in its efficiency profile: a 25-watt TDP versus 65 watts, a mobile segment target, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Atom’s 8-core configuration does not translate into a win in any multi-threaded benchmark, as the Ryzen’s higher per-core performance and superior memory subsystem overcome the core count difference. For users prioritizing low power consumption, compact BGA integration, or encryption-heavy workloads, the Atom has a place. For nearly every other measured workload, the Ryzen 5 3500X delivers meaningfully higher performance, often by margins exceeding 20% and sometimes approaching 80%.