CPU Comparison

The Intel Atom P5342 and the Intel Core i7-9700E present a fascinating contrast in CPU design philosophy, pitting a modern, high-core-count server chip against an older, established desktop processor. While both land in the same performance percentile overall, the data reveals that the Atom P5342 holds a consistent, albeit narrow, lead across every single benchmark recorded. This head-to-head comparison shows a series of close victories for the Atom part, suggesting that architectural efficiency can overcome a significant deficit in core count.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably one-sided, with the Intel Atom P5342 winning all six Cinebench tests. The margins, however, are consistently tight, ranging from a 4.8% to a 5.3% advantage. This uniformity across different workloads is the most striking finding. In the multi-core tests, the Atom P5342’s 16 cores give it a clear edge over the Core i7-9700E’s 8 cores. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Atom scores 11122 against the Core i7’s 10613, a 4.8% difference. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 4671 versus 4457, again a 4.8% advantage for the Atom.

The single-core results are even more telling. Despite the Core i7-9700E having a much higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz compared to the Atom P5342’s base-only 2.20 GHz, the Atom still manages to win. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Atom scores 1570 versus 1498 for the Core i7, a 4.8% lead. The largest margin for the Atom comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it wins 158 to 150, a 5.3% difference. This indicates that the Atom’s newer microarchitecture, based on the Tremont cores, is dramatically more efficient on a per-clock basis, allowing it to overcome the Core i7’s raw frequency advantage. The data shows a clear pattern: the Atom P5342 is faster in every measured scenario, even if the win is not by a landslide.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is vast, explaining the benchmark results. The Intel Atom P5342, codenamed Snow Ridge, is built on a 10 nm process node and belongs to the Atom (Tremont) generation. It features 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and no boost clock listed. Its cache hierarchy is unusual, with 64 KB of L1 per core and 4.5 MB of L2 per module. It is designed for the server and workstation market segment and is currently marked as Active in production. The chip is soldered to an Intel BGA 2106 socket.

In contrast, the Intel Core i7-9700E is a desktop part from the Coffee Lake generation, built on a mature 14 nm process node. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its cache structure is more conventional, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The die size is listed at 180.3 mm². This processor is End-of-life, uses the Intel Socket 1151, and comes with integrated UHD Graphics 630. The Atom P5342 has no integrated graphics, a common trade-off for server parts. The Core i7 also lacks ECC memory support, which is a key feature of the Atom P5342.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Atom P5342 is the outright winner. It outperforms the Core i7-9700E in every single Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core. The data indicates that the Atom’s modern 10 nm architecture and higher core count provide a tangible performance advantage. For any workload that relies on CPU compute, the Atom P5342 is the faster chip. The Core i7-9700E’s higher boost clock cannot compensate for the older architecture’s lower instructions-per-clock (IPC) efficiency, as evidenced by its loss in single-core tests. The verdict is clear: the Atom P5342 is the superior processor in terms of raw computing power.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The most obvious difference is core count, with the Atom P5342 offering 16 cores and 16 threads versus the Core i7-9700E’s 8 cores and 8 threads. The process node also differs, with the Atom on 10 nm and the Core i7 on 14 nm. The base clocks are different, at 2.20 GHz for the Atom and 2.60 GHz for the Core i7, but the Core i7 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which the Atom lacks. The cache configurations are distinct, with the Atom using a per-module L2 design and the Core i7 using per-core L2 and a shared L3 cache. The sockets are different, being Intel BGA 2106 for the Atom and Intel Socket 1151 for the Core i7. The Core i7 has integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Atom has N/A. The market segments differ, with the Atom aimed at Server/Workstation and the Core i7 at Desktop. Finally, the production status is Active for the Atom and End-of-life for the Core i7, and the release dates are 2022-06-05 for the Atom and 2019-04-22 for the Core i7.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Atom P5342 is faster in single-core tests. It scores 1570 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 4.8% lead over the Core i7-9700E’s score of 1498.

Q: Does the Core i7-9700E have more cores than the Atom P5342?

A: No, it does not. The Atom P5342 has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7-9700E has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in the head-to-head data?

A: The largest margin is a 5.3% win for the Atom P5342 in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, with scores of 158 versus 150.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Atom P5342 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-9700E does not.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No, only the Core i7-9700E has integrated graphics, listed as UHD Graphics 630. The Atom P5342 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Atom P5342 has 6 wins, while the Intel Core i7-9700E has 0 wins.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Atom P5342 wins in every benchmark category. This makes it the obvious choice for compute-heavy tasks where performance is the sole criterion. Its 16 cores and 4.8% multi-core advantage in Cinebench R23 make it well-suited for parallel workloads like video rendering, 3D modeling, and server-side processing. The single-core wins, despite the lower clock speed, also make it a strong candidate for applications that are primarily single-threaded but benefit from high IPC efficiency.

The Intel Core i7-9700E, while losing on raw performance, still holds some advantages outside of the benchmark scores. It has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which could potentially translate to snappier response in lightly threaded tasks, though the benchmark data does not support this. Its integrated UHD Graphics 630 means a system can be built without a discrete GPU, which is useful for basic display output. The Core i7 is also a desktop part on a common Socket 1151, which may offer more motherboard options for general-purpose use. However, from the pure performance data provided, the Atom P5342 is the winner in every category, making it the superior choice for anyone prioritizing CPU benchmark scores. The Core i7-9700E’s only wins are in platform features, not in processing power.