Intel Atom P5342 vs Intel Core i5-11400T Comparison

The benchmark data presents an unusually close contest between the Intel Core i5-11400T and the Intel Atom P5342. Despite fundamentally different architectures, market segments, and physical specifications, their measured performance in the database is nearly identical, with the Atom P5342 edging out a narrow victory in every recorded test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows the Intel Atom P5342 winning all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are exceptionally slim. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Atom P5342 scores 1121 against the Core i5-11400T's 1120, a delta of just 0.1%. The single-core version of the same test shows a slightly larger gap, with the Atom at 158 and the Core i5 at 157, a 0.6% difference. These are margins that fall well within typical run-to-run variance, yet the consistency of the Atom's advantage across every test is notable.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The Atom P5342 scores 4671 in multicore versus 4667 for the Core i5-11400T, again a 0.1% delta. The single-core result is 659 versus 658, a 0.2% edge for the Atom. In Cinebench R23, the multicore scores are 11122 for the Atom and 11113 for the Core i5, maintaining that 0.1% lead. The R23 single-core test shows 1570 against 1569, another 0.1% margin. The data indicates a complete sweep for the Atom P5342, but the practical significance of these differences is minimal.

The average benchmark scores place both processors in a similar performance tier. The Core i5-11400T has an average score of 3309, while the Atom P5342 sits at 3217. This 2.8% gap in the aggregate metric is interesting because it reverses the head-to-head results, suggesting that the broader benchmark database includes tests beyond the Cinebench suite where the Core i5 performs relatively better. The Core i5's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 5300G at 3303 (0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 at 3303 (0.2% delta), while the Atom P5342's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE at 3218 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U at 3218 (0% delta).

The percentile rankings are also close: the Core i5-11400T sits at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, while the Atom P5342 is at the 53rd percentile. These figures reinforce the conclusion that both processors deliver mid-pack performance in the broader market context.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear verdict: neither processor offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other in the tested workloads. The Atom P5342 wins every head-to-head comparison, but the largest margin is 0.6% in a single test, with the rest at 0.1% or 0.2%. These deltas are so small that they would be imperceptible in real-world use.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance in the Cinebench suite, the data slightly favors the Intel Atom P5342. Its 16 cores and 16 threads deliver a marginal edge in multicore workloads, while its higher base clock of 2.20 GHz contributes to a slight single-core advantage. The Core i5-11400T, with 6 cores and 12 threads, trails by fractions of a point in every test.

However, the average benchmark score tells a different story. The Core i5-11400T's average of 3309 exceeds the Atom's 3217, indicating that in a broader range of applications, the Core i5 may perform better. The Core i5 also holds a higher percentile ranking at 54 versus 53, reinforcing the idea that its overall capabilities extend beyond the Cinebench suite.

The choice between these two processors should be driven by factors other than benchmark scores. The data shows near-parity in compute performance, so platform characteristics, power envelope, and ecosystem compatibility become the decisive factors. The Core i5-11400T is an end-of-life desktop part, while the Atom P5342 is an active server and workstation processor, which suggests different intended use cases despite similar benchmark results.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data provides a nuanced picture of where each processor excels. The Intel Atom P5342 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests, but its margins are negligible. Its most significant advantage comes in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where it leads by 0.6%. In the other five tests, the Atom leads by 0.1% or 0.2%. This consistency suggests that the Atom's architecture, likely benefiting from its higher base clock and newer 10 nm process node, provides a slight edge in these specific compute tasks.

The Core i5-11400T, despite losing every head-to-head comparison, holds a higher average benchmark score at 3309 versus 3217 for the Atom. This 92-point advantage indicates that the Core i5 performs better in workloads beyond the Cinebench suite. The Core i5 also has a higher percentile ranking (54th versus 53rd), placing it slightly higher in the overall performance distribution. The Core i5's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-7800X with an average score of 3333, a 0.7% delta, while the Atom's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U at 3218, a 0% delta.

For users focused solely on Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the Atom P5342 is the nominal winner, but the advantage is too small to be decisive. For users with diverse workloads that include single-threaded applications, memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks, or general desktop use, the Core i5-11400T's higher average score suggests it may be the more versatile option.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multicore performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Atom P5342 scores 11122 in Cinebench R23 multicore, compared to the Intel Core i5-11400T's 11113, a 0.1% difference favoring the Atom.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any head-to-head test?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel Atom P5342 scores 158 against the Core i5-11400T's 157, a 0.6% difference.

Q: Does the Core i5-11400T have a higher average benchmark score?

A: Yes, the Core i5-11400T has an average benchmark score of 3309, while the Intel Atom P5342 averages 3217, a difference of 92 points in favor of the Core i5.

Q: How do the two processors rank in overall CPU percentile?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400T ranks at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Atom P5342 ranks at the 53rd percentile.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Atom P5342 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-11400T does not.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Atom P5342 has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different Intel architectures. The Core i5-11400T is built on the Rocket Lake architecture, a 14 nm process node, and is part of the Core 11th Gen family. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1300 MHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The chip has a 35 W TDP and uses the Intel Socket 1200. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730, and it supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

The Atom P5342, in contrast, uses the Snow Ridge codename and belongs to the Atom (Tremont) generation. It is manufactured on a 10 nm process node, a newer node than the Core i5's 14 nm. The Atom has 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and no boost clock listed. Its TDP is 71 W, and it uses the Intel BGA 2106 socket. The cache design differs significantly: 64 KB of L1 per core and 4.5 MB of L2 per module, with no L3 cache listed. The Atom has no integrated graphics and supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

These architectural differences explain the performance parity despite disparate core counts. The Core i5's larger L3 cache and higher boost clock help it compensate for fewer cores, while the Atom's higher base clock and newer process node provide its own advantages. The Core i5's 12 MB of shared L3 cache is a substantial resource for multi-threaded workloads, while the Atom's per-module L2 design suits its server-oriented role.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Core i5-11400T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Atom P5342 has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning the Atom has more than double the core count but no hyper-threading. The base clocks are 1300 MHz for the Core i5 and 2200 MHz for the Atom; the Core i5 has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz while the Atom has no boost clock listed. The TDP is 35 W for the Core i5 versus 71 W for the Atom, a significant power envelope difference.

The sockets are incompatible: the Core i5 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the Atom uses Intel BGA 2106. The process nodes differ as well, with the Core i5 at 14 nm and the Atom at 10 nm. Cache configurations are distinct, with the Core i5 offering 80 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3, while the Atom offers 64 KB L1 per core and 4.5 MB L2 per module with no L3. Memory bandwidth differs at 51.2 GB/s for the Core i5 versus 42.7 GB/s for the Atom, though both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Atom, and PCIe lanes differ at Gen 4 with 20 lanes for the Core i5 versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the Atom. The Core i5 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Atom has no integrated graphics. The market segments differ, with the Core i5 aimed at Desktop and the Atom at Server/Workstation. Production status also differs: the Core i5 is end-of-life, while the Atom is active. The Core i5 was released in March 2021 with a launch MSRP of $182, and the Atom was released in June 2022 with a launch MSRP of $708. The Core i5 has a die size of 276 mm², while the Atom's die size is not listed.