CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X dominates the Intel Atom x7405C in every single head-to-head CPU benchmark, with deltas ranging from 464.6% to 474.2%. This is not a close contest by any metric; the Threadripper is a high-end desktop processor designed for maximum throughput, while the Atom is a low-power mobile chip intended for efficiency. The data shows a complete sweep for AMD, making the choice between these two entirely dependent on the intended workload and power constraints.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X wins in every category where raw processing power is paramount. In multi-threaded workloads, its advantage is overwhelming. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 25,040 versus the Atom's 4,435, a 464.6% difference. This makes the Threadripper the clear choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and any other task that can utilize its 16 cores and 32 threads. The data shows that its single-core performance is equally dominant, with a 474.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (356 vs. 62), indicating that even lightly-threaded applications will run significantly faster on the AMD part.

The Intel Atom x7405C, on the other hand, wins in the context of power-constrained environments, though this is not reflected in the provided benchmark scores. With a TDP of 12 watts compared to the Threadripper's 180 watts, the Atom is designed for fanless or low-power embedded systems, industrial PCs, and mobile devices where energy consumption and heat dissipation are more critical than performance. Its benchmark losses are absolute, but its design philosophy is about efficiency, not speed. The data shows no benchmark wins for the Atom, but its existence in the market is justified by its operational profile, not its performance figures.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different architectural philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is built on the Zen+ architecture (codename Colfax) using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It features 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 32 MB of L3 cache. The chip is designed for the AMD Socket SP3r2 platform and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. It also offers 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

The Intel Atom x7405C is built on the Gracemont architecture (codename Amston Lake) using a 10 nm process from Intel. It is a much simpler design with only 4 cores and 4 threads, running at a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its cache is smaller and shared: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. It supports single-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory, with a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and provides just 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Atom is soldered to an Intel BGA 1264 socket and is intended for mobile or embedded use. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, while the Atom does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniform and decisive. In every single test, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X wins by a margin of roughly 465-475%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 2,523 against the Atom's 446, a 465.7% delta. The single-core test in the same suite shows a 474.2% delta (356 vs. 62). Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 10,516 for AMD versus 1,862 for Intel, a 464.8% difference, and the single-core result is 1,484 versus 262, a 466.4% delta. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23: multi-core is 25,040 vs. 4,435 (464.6% delta) and single-core is 3,535 vs. 626 (464.7% delta).

These numbers are not incremental; they represent a five-to-sixfold performance gap in favor of the Threadripper. The Atom's best absolute score is its Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 4,435, which is still less than the Threadripper's single-core score of 3,535 in the same test. The consistent delta across all tests suggests the performance difference is structural, stemming from the core count, clock speed, and memory bandwidth advantages of the AMD part, rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets highlight the chasm between these two products.

• Cores & Threads: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Atom x7405C has 4 cores and 4 threads.
• Clock Speeds: The Threadripper's base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost of 4.40 GHz. The Atom's base clock is 1.70 GHz with a boost of 3.40 GHz.
• TDP: The Threadripper has a TDP of 180 W, while the Atom is rated at just 12 W.
• Socket: The Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2, whereas the Atom uses Intel BGA 1264.
• Process Node: The Threadripper is on a 12 nm node, while the Atom is on a 10 nm node.
• Cache: The Threadripper has 512 KB L2 per core and 32 MB L3. The Atom has 2 MB shared L2 and 6 MB shared L3.
• Memory Support: The Threadripper supports quad-channel DDR4. The Atom supports single-channel DDR4 and DDR5.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Threadripper's bandwidth is 93.9 GB/s; the Atom's is 38.4 GB/s.
• PCIe Lanes: The Threadripper provides 60 CPU-only PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Atom has 9.
• Integrated Graphics: The Threadripper has none; the Atom lists "N/A".
• Market Segment: The Threadripper is classified as Desktop; the Atom is Mobile.
• Release Date: The Threadripper was released on 2018-08-30, while the Atom was released on 2024-04-07.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is overwhelmingly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25,040 versus the Intel Atom x7405C's 4,435, a 464.6% difference. This pattern holds across all tested Cinebench versions.

Q: Is the Intel Atom x7405C competitive in single-core performance?

A: No. The data shows the Threadripper wins single-core tests by even larger margins than multi-core. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD chip scores 356 versus the Atom's 62, a 474.2% delta.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Atom x7405C has a TDP of 12 watts, which is drastically lower than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X's 180-watt TDP. This makes the Atom suitable for power-constrained environments, though it sacrifices substantial performance.

Q: Do these processors use the same memory architecture?

A: No. The Threadripper supports quad-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The Atom supports single-channel DDR4 and DDR5, but its maximum bandwidth is only 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X provides 60 CPU-only PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Intel Atom x7405C offers only 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This gives the Threadripper significantly more expansion capability.

Q: Can the Intel Atom be overclocked?

A: The data indicates the Intel Atom x7405C has a locked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: false). In contrast, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has an unlocked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: true), allowing for overclocking.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the superior processor for any performance-centric task. It wins 6 out of 6 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins exceeding 460%. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, higher clock speeds, and quad-channel memory bandwidth make it the only logical choice for desktop users who need maximum compute power for rendering, compilation, or scientific computing. The average benchmark score of 6,647 and its percentile ranking of 62 place it in a competitive position among all CPUs, with its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-9940X, being only 0.1% behind.

The Intel Atom x7405C, despite its lower performance, serves a distinct purpose. Its 12-watt TDP and small footprint make it ideal for embedded systems, industrial automation, and fanless mobile devices where power efficiency is the primary concern. Its average benchmark score of 6,568 is surprisingly close to the Threadripper's, but this is skewed by the Passmark tests that the Atom participated in, which are not directly comparable to the Cinebench results. However, in the shared Cinebench benchmarks, the Atom is decisively slower.

Therefore, the choice is simple. If the requirement is raw performance and the system can handle a 180-watt TDP, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the clear winner. If the requirement is minimal power draw and the workload is light, the Intel Atom x7405C is the appropriate part, but its performance will be a fraction of the AMD offering. There is no middle ground in this comparison.