AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Intel Atom x7405C Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Intel Atom x7405C sit at opposite ends of the processor spectrum. The database records a 24-core, 48-thread desktop part from 2018 facing a 4-core, 4-thread mobile chip from 2024. The head-to-head benchmark results are decisive: the Threadripper wins all six recorded tests, with margins ranging from 493.1% to 503.2%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head dataset covers six Cinebench tests across three versions (R15, R20, R23), each with multi-core and single-core variants. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX wins every test. The smallest margin is 493.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD scores 26305 against the Atom's 4435. The largest margin is 503.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core, with the AMD at 374 and the Atom at 62.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 2651 versus 446, a 494.4% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 11048 against 1862, a 493.3% lead. The R20 single-core test shows 1559 versus 262, a 495% margin. The R23 single-core test shows 3713 against 626, a 493.1% lead.

The consistency of these margins is striking. The multi-core tests cluster tightly between 493.1% and 494.4%, while the single-core tests range from 493.1% to 503.2%. This uniformity points to a structural performance gap rather than a workload-specific artifact. The AMD's advantage holds across both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads, which is unusual for processors with such different core counts.

The average benchmark scores in the database provide additional context. The AMD's average is 6760, placing it at the 62nd percentile of all CPUs. The Atom's average is 6568, also at the 62nd percentile. The AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-12700E at 6776 (-0.2%) and the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 at 6803 (-0.6%). The Atom's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-13500E at 6586 (-0.3%) and the Intel Core i9-7960X at 6533 (+0.5%). Both processors sit within 0.7% of their nearest rivals, indicating that their average scores are representative of their respective performance tiers.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is as wide as the benchmark gap. The AMD has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Atom has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD's base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost of 4.20 GHz. The Atom runs at 1.70 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The AMD's TDP is 250W, the Atom's is 12W.

The AMD uses the Zen+ architecture under the Colfax codename, fabricated on a 12nm process by GlobalFoundries. The die contains 19,200 million transistors across four 213 mm² dies. The Atom uses the Amston Lake architecture with Gracemont cores, fabricated on a 10nm process by Intel. The AMD mounts on AMD Socket SP3r2, while the Atom uses Intel BGA 1264.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both processors provide 96 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD offers 512 KB of L2 per core and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Atom offers 2 MB of shared L2 and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD's 64 MB L3 is more than ten times the Atom's 6 MB, a difference that matters for workloads with large working sets.

Memory support is another major divergence. The AMD supports DDR4 over a quad-channel bus with 93.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The Atom supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The AMD provides PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes, while the Atom provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes. The AMD's memory bandwidth advantage is roughly 2.4 times the Atom's, which compounds the core count difference in memory-intensive workloads.

The AMD is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, released on 2018-10-01 with a launch MSRP of $1299. The Atom is a mobile processor with a locked multiplier, released on 2024-04-07 with a launch MSRP of $57. The AMD's part number is YD297XAZUHCAF, and the Atom's is SRNEM. Both processors remain in active production according to the database.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data records six wins for the AMD and zero for the Atom. Every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants, favors the AMD by roughly five-fold. The Atom has no recorded head-to-head victories.

However, the Atom's Passmark results, which are not part of the head-to-head comparison, reveal a distinct workload profile. The Atom scores 56317 in data compression, 14669 in integer math, and 9063 in floating point math. These are the Atom's strongest Passmark areas relative to its other scores. The Atom also records 4004 in data encryption, 2771 in extended instructions, and 8089 in random string sorting. Its Passmark multithread score is 5218, with a physics score of 460 and a find prime numbers score of 22.

The AMD's Geekbench scores (7195 multi-core, 1236 single-core) are recorded in the database but are not part of the head-to-head comparison. The Atom has no Geekbench scores, and the AMD has no Passmark scores. This means the two processors are measured on partially overlapping benchmark suites, and the average scores reflect different test compositions.

For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the AMD is the clear choice. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26305 versus 4435 represents a 493.1% lead. For single-threaded workloads, the AMD's R23 single-core score of 3713 versus 626 is equally dominant. The AMD's higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 3.40 GHz) and more capable architecture drive this result.

The Atom's 12W TDP is its defining advantage. The AMD's 250W TDP requires substantial power delivery and cooling. For power-constrained embedded or mobile deployments, the Atom's power envelope is a decisive factor that the benchmark scores do not capture. The Atom's single-channel memory and 9 PCIe lanes also suit compact, low-cost designs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX scores 26305, while the Intel Atom x7405C scores 4435. The AMD leads by 493.1%.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The AMD has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Intel Atom has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do the memory subsystems compare?

A: The AMD uses quad-channel DDR4 with 93.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The Atom uses single-channel DDR4 or DDR5 with 38.4 GB/s.

Q: What are the TDP values?

A: The AMD is rated at 250W, the Atom at 12W.

Q: When were these processors released?

A: The AMD was released on 2018-10-01. The Atom was released on 2024-04-07.

Q: What is the cache size difference?

A: The AMD has 64 MB of L3 cache and 512 KB of L2 per core. The Atom has 6 MB of shared L3 and 2 MB of shared L2.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX wins every head-to-head benchmark by a margin of approximately 500%. For any Cinebench workload, the AMD is the superior processor. The Atom's 12W TDP and mobile form factor make it suitable for power-constrained embedded applications, but the recorded benchmarks show no workload where it outperforms the AMD.

The AMD's 24 cores, 48 threads, 64 MB of L3 cache, and quad-channel memory provide a structural advantage that the Atom cannot overcome. The Atom's 4 cores, 4 threads, and single-channel memory limit its throughput. The percentile data places both at the 62nd percentile, but the average scores (6760 versus 6568) reflect different benchmark suites: the AMD's Geekbench results and the Atom's Passmark results.

Users who need multi-threaded rendering performance should choose the AMD. Users who need a low-power, compact processor for mobile or embedded systems should consider the Atom, but they should expect roughly one-fifth the Cinebench performance. The benchmark record shows a performance gap that is consistent across every measured Cinebench test, making the choice straightforward for workloads covered by these benchmarks.