Intel Atom x7211RE vs Intel Core i5-11320H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-11320H and Intel Atom x7211RE occupy entirely different tiers of the mobile processor market, and the benchmark data in the database reflects that divide with unusual clarity. The Core i5-11320H, a Tiger Lake-H part aimed at thin-and-light performance laptops, posts scores that are consistently multiple times higher than the Atom x7211RE, an Amston Lake chip designed for low-power embedded and edge applications. Across five shared Cinebench tests, the Core i5-11320H wins every single one, with margins ranging from roughly 407% to 412%. The Atom x7211RE does not record a single victory in the head-to-head comparison, yet its own benchmark profile, including PassMark tests not shared with the Core i5, shows a different kind of capability: extremely low power consumption and a compact footprint. This analysis examines the recorded data to determine what each processor actually delivers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the shared test suite is the Cinebench R23 multicore score. The Intel Core i5-11320H records 9158 points, while the Intel Atom x7211RE manages 1804 points. That is a lead of 407.6% for the Core i5, meaning the Tiger Lake part delivers roughly five times the multi-threaded rendering throughput. The gap is nearly identical in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Core i5 scores 3846 against the Atom's 757, a difference of 408.1%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core i5 posts 923 versus 181, a 409.9% advantage. These three tests collectively show that for any heavily threaded workload, the Core i5-11320H is in a completely different performance class.

Single-core results follow the same pattern, though the percentages are even larger. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core i5-11320H scores 543, and the Atom x7211RE scores 106. That is a 412.3% lead, the largest margin recorded in the head-to-head set. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Core i5 at 1293 versus the Atom's 254, a 409.1% advantage. The Core i5 also holds a 409.9% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore, but the single-core R20 test stands out as the most lopsided result. What this means is that even on lightly threaded tasks, where the Atom's relatively high boost clock might be expected to help, the Core i5's superior architecture and higher base frequency simply overwhelm the smaller chip.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the two processors land surprisingly close in percentile ranking. The Core i5-11320H has an average benchmark score of 2888 and sits at the 51st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Atom x7211RE has an average score of 2811, also at the 51st percentile. This near-identical percentile is misleading, however, because the average includes different test sets. The Core i5 is measured across Cinebench and Geekbench workloads, while the Atom includes PassMark tests such as data compression, encryption, and floating-point math. The head-to-head Cinebench results tell the real story: on the tasks both chips were tested on, the Core i5 is roughly five times faster.

The nearest rivals listed in the database provide context for each chip's standing. The Core i5-11320H's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2414, which has an average score of 2905, just 0.6% higher. The Intel Core i5-1335UE scores 2907, 0.7% higher, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 2909, 0.7% higher. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U trails by 0.8% with a score of 2865. For the Atom x7211RE, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-8600K at 2807, which is 0.2% lower, followed by the Intel Xeon E-2324G at 2823, 0.4% higher. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U scores 2829, 0.6% higher, and the Intel Core i5-11300H scores 2792, 0.7% lower. These rivalries show that both processors, despite their massive performance disparity, occupy similar positions relative to their own peer groups.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two chips is fundamental. The Intel Core i5-11320H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Intel Atom x7211RE uses the Amston Lake architecture, also on a 10 nm node, but it has only 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Core i5 has twice the cores and four times the threads, and its base clock is 1.5 GHz higher. Even the boost clock, where the Atom comes closest, is still 1.3 GHz lower on the Atom.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Core i5-11320H has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Atom x7211RE has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, but only 2 MB of shared L2 cache and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core L1 advantage goes to the Atom, but the Core i5's larger L2 allocation per core and higher total L3 capacity give it a clear edge in data-heavy workloads. The die size of the Core i5 is recorded as 146.1 mm², while no die size is listed for the Atom.

Memory support is another major divergence. The Core i5-11320H supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Atom x7211RE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but only over a single-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core i5 has 12.8 GB/s more bandwidth, which directly benefits multi-threaded and memory-intensive applications. Neither chip supports ECC memory, according to the database.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Core i5-11320H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Atom x7211RE supports PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes. This means the Core i5 can connect to faster storage and expansion devices, and it has more than double the lane count. Integrated graphics are another point of separation: the Core i5 includes Iris XE Graphics with 96 execution units, while the Atom includes UHD Graphics with 16 execution units. The Core i5's integrated GPU has six times the execution units, which explains its suitability for light graphics work or media playback.

Power consumption is the single most important architectural difference. The Core i5-11320H has a thermal design power (TDP) of 28 watts, while the Atom x7211RE has a TDP of 6 watts. That is a 22-watt difference, meaning the Atom consumes roughly one-fifth the power of the Core i5. The Atom's lower power envelope is its primary design goal, and it is reflected in the much lower clock speeds and reduced core count. The Core i5 is a high-performance mobile chip, the Atom is an ultra-low-power embedded part, and the benchmark scores are a direct consequence of that design intent.

The release dates also show a generational gap. The Core i5-11320H was released on 2021-06-20, while the Atom x7211RE was released on 2024-04-07. Despite being nearly three years newer, the Atom does not compete on raw performance. Its advantage lies in efficiency and simplicity, not speed. Both chips are listed as active production parts, and both use Intel BGA sockets, though different ones: BGA 1449 for the Core i5 and BGA 1264 for the Atom.

The Verdict

The recorded data makes the choice straightforward for most users. The Intel Core i5-11320H is the superior processor for any task that involves computation, rendering, or multitasking. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 9158 is 407.6% higher than the Atom's 1804, and its single-core score of 1293 is 409.1% higher. It has more cores, more threads, higher clocks, more cache, more memory bandwidth, and a more powerful integrated GPU. For a laptop user running productivity software, compiling code, editing photos, or doing any form of content creation, the Core i5-11320H is the only reasonable choice between these two.

The Intel Atom x7211RE wins on power efficiency, but the database does not include direct power consumption benchmarks, only the TDP figures. At 6 watts versus 28 watts, the Atom uses approximately one-fifth the power. For fanless embedded systems, IoT gateways, industrial controllers, or battery-powered devices where every milliwatt matters, the Atom is the appropriate part. Its performance is low, but its power draw is lower still. The Atom also supports DDR5 memory, which the Core i5 does not, and its smaller physical footprint (no die size listed, but a simpler architecture) makes it easier to integrate into compact designs.

The percentile data shows both chips at the 51st percentile, which suggests they are both average within their respective test pools. But the head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Core i5 is roughly five times faster on shared workloads. The verdict is that the Core i5-11320H is for users who need performance, and the Atom x7211RE is for users who need minimal power consumption above all else. There is no middle ground in the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multicore score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-11320H scores 9158, while the Intel Atom x7211RE scores 1804, giving the Core i5 a 407.6% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-11320H has a TDP of 28 watts, and the Intel Atom x7211RE has a TDP of 6 watts.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i5-11320H nor the Intel Atom x7211RE supports ECC memory, according to the database.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-11320H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Atom x7211RE has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Atom x7211RE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Intel Core i5-11320H supports only DDR4.

Q: What is the biggest single-core margin in the head-to-head tests?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Intel Core i5-11320H scores 543 versus the Atom's 106, a 412.3% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11320H wins in every scenario that involves raw processing power. Multi-threaded rendering, as measured by Cinebench R23, is its strongest area, with a 9158 score that dwarfs the Atom's 1804. Single-threaded tasks also favor the Core i5 heavily, with a 1293 score in R23 single-core versus 254 for the Atom. The Core i5's 8 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth make it suitable for data-heavy applications like video editing, 3D modeling, and software development. Its Iris XE Graphics with 96 execution units provide a usable integrated GPU for light gaming or hardware-accelerated media encoding. The 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes allow for fast NVMe storage and external GPU connections, making this a flexible mobile processor for a wide range of productivity and creative tasks.

The Intel Atom x7211RE wins in scenarios where power consumption is the limiting factor. Its 6 watt TDP is a fraction of the Core i5's 28 watts, making it suitable for passive cooling in fanless enclosures. The Atom's support for DDR5 memory, despite its single-channel bus, gives it a modern memory interface that could be advantageous in specific embedded applications. Its PassMark results, while not directly comparable to the Core i5's Cinebench scores, show a chip that can handle basic integer math (6517), floating-point math (4303), and data compression (20820) at very low power. The Atom's 2 cores and 2 threads are enough for simple control tasks, sensor reading, or lightweight network services. With 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, it can connect to modest peripherals without excessive complexity.

The use-case split is clean. The Core i5-11320H is for mobile workstations and high-end ultrabooks, where users expect responsive performance for demanding applications. The Atom x7211RE is for industrial PCs, edge gateways, and always-on devices where heat dissipation and battery life are more important than speed. The benchmark data shows no overlap: the Core i5 wins all five shared tests, and the Atom offers no performance advantage in any recorded metric. The only advantage the Atom holds is its lower power draw and its support for DDR5, both of which are architectural features rather than benchmark wins. For any buyer choosing between these two, the decision rests entirely on whether the workload demands performance or efficiency. The database records no scenario where the Atom outperforms the Core i5, and no scenario where the Core i5 consumes as little power as the Atom.