CPU Comparison

The Intel Atom x7211RE and Intel Core i5-8600K sit at opposite ends of the performance spectrum, yet their aggregate benchmark scores are nearly identical. The data shows the Atom x7211RE achieves an average benchmark score of 2811, while the Core i5-8600K scores 2807, a difference of only 0.2% in favor of the Atom. This near-parity in overall standing, with both CPUs at the 51st percentile, masks a dramatic divergence in workload-specific results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison is decisively one-sided. Across five Cinebench tests, the Core i5-8600K wins every single contest, with the Atom x7211RE trailing by roughly 79% in each instance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-8600K posts 8611 points against the Atom’s 1804, a delta of -79.1%. The single-core R23 result follows the same pattern: 1215 for the i5-8600K versus 254 for the Atom, again -79.1%. The consistency of this margin, hovering between -79.1% and -79.2% across all five tests, indicates a fundamental throughput disadvantage for the Atom, not a workload-specific anomaly.

The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows the i5-8600K scoring 3616, while the Atom manages 757. The R15 multi-core test yields 867 for the i5-8600K and 181 for the Atom. Even in the single-core R20 test, where clock speed often matters more than core count, the i5-8600K’s 510 dwarfs the Atom’s 106. The data reveals no benchmark where the Atom x7211RE gains ground; its 0 wins against 5 losses is a clear statistical statement.

The notable point is that these massive per-test deficits do not translate into a lower aggregate score for the Atom. This occurs because the benchmark database’s average score calculation includes a broader set of tests, including PassMark workloads where the Atom’s scores (e.g., 20820 in data compression, 6517 in integer math) contribute to its 2811 average. The i5-8600K’s average of 2807 comes from a different test suite, including Geekbench results (5997 multi-core, 1514 single-core) not present in the Atom’s data. Thus, the aggregate similarity is a function of test selection, not equivalent real-world performance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial and explains the benchmark disparity. The Atom x7211RE is built on the Amston Lake architecture, a 10 nm process from Intel, and belongs to the Atom (Gracemont) generation. It features 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 1.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Its thermal design power is just 6 watts, reflecting its mobile, low-power orientation. The i5-8600K, by contrast, uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm node, with 6 cores and 6 threads. It runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.30 GHz, with a 95-watt TDP.

Cache hierarchies differ markedly. The Atom provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-8600K offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 9 MB of shared L3. The i5-8600K’s higher per-core L2 and larger L3 give it a memory-access advantage in multi-threaded scenarios. The Atom’s L3, while shared, is smaller in total and paired with far fewer cores.

Memory support further separates the two. The Atom supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but only in single-channel configuration, yielding 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The i5-8600K supports DDR4 in dual-channel mode, reaching 42.7 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe lanes also differ: the Atom provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-8600K offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well, the Atom carries UHD Graphics 16EU, while the i5-8600K has UHD Graphics 630.

The production status is another differentiator. The Atom x7211RE is listed as Active, with a release date of April 2024, while the i5-8600K is End-of-life, released in October 2017. The Atom uses an Intel BGA 1264 socket, whereas the i5-8600K fits Intel Socket 1151. The i5-8600K has an unlocked multiplier; the Atom does not.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i5-8600K is the superior processor for compute-intensive tasks. Its 79% lead across all Cinebench versions, multi-core and single-core alike, demonstrates a decisive advantage in rendering, encoding, and general CPU-bound workloads. The i5-8600K’s 6 cores and 6 threads, combined with a 4.30 GHz boost clock, deliver roughly five times the multi-threaded Cinebench R23 score of the Atom x7211RE (8611 vs 1804).

The Atom x7211RE, however, is not without merit. Its 6-watt TDP versus the i5-8600K’s 95-watt TDP indicates a power efficiency profile that suits fanless or battery-constrained designs. The Atom supports DDR5 memory, which the i5-8600K cannot use, and its Active production status means it remains a current product. For workloads that fit within its limited 2-core, 2-thread envelope, the Atom’s PassMark results (e.g., 20820 in data compression) show it can handle specific tasks without catastrophic failure.

The benchmark data does not support a recommendation for the Atom in any scenario where raw performance matters. The i5-8600K wins every head-to-head test by a wide margin. The only reasons to select the Atom would be its lower TDP, newer process node, or DDR5 support, factors not reflected in the performance scores. The i5-8600K is the choice for anyone prioritizing computation speed.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Atom x7211RE has an average benchmark score of 2811, compared to the Intel Core i5-8600K’s 2807. The Atom leads by 0.2%, a negligible difference.

Q: How much faster is the Core i5-8600K in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Core i5-8600K scores 8611 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Atom x7211RE scores 1804. The i5-8600K is 79.1% faster in this test.

Q: Does the Atom x7211RE win any benchmark against the Core i5-8600K?

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmark set, the Core i5-8600K wins all five tests, with the Atom recording zero wins.

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

A: The Intel Atom x7211RE has 2 cores and 2 threads. The Intel Core i5-8600K has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Atom x7211RE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Intel Core i5-8600K supports only DDR4.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Atom x7211RE has a TDP of 6 watts, while the Core i5-8600K has a TDP of 95 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-8600K wins in every benchmark category where direct comparison data exists. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 867 versus the Atom’s 181, and R20 multi-core of 3616 versus 757, establish dominance in rendering and video-encoding tasks. The single-core R20 result (510 vs 106) shows the i5-8600K also leads in lightly-threaded applications, aided by its 4.30 GHz boost clock against the Atom’s 3.20 GHz. For users running 3D modeling, video editing, or software compilation, the i5-8600K is the only viable option based on this data.

The Atom x7211RE’s wins are not in performance but in platform characteristics. Its 6-watt TDP allows for passive cooling and longer battery life in mobile devices, a domain where the 95-watt i5-8600K is impractical. The Atom’s DDR5 support and 10 nm process represent newer technology, though the benchmark scores do not translate that into speed. Its PassMark data compression score of 20820 and integer math score of 6517 show that for simple, repetitive tasks, the Atom can produce respectable throughput, but these results are not compared directly against the i5-8600K in the head-to-head set.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Atom x7211RE has 2 cores and 2 threads; the i5-8600K has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 1.00 GHz for the Atom and 3.60 GHz for the i5-8600K. Boost clocks are 3.20 GHz and 4.30 GHz, respectively. TDP is 6 watts versus 95 watts. The Atom uses an Intel BGA 1264 socket, while the i5-8600K uses Intel Socket 1151.

The process nodes differ: 10 nm for the Atom, 14 nm for the i5-8600K. Cache configurations are distinct, the Atom has 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3; the i5-8600K has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 9 MB shared L3. Memory support: the Atom handles DDR4 and DDR5 in single-channel mode with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-8600K handles DDR4 in dual-channel mode with 42.7 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 9 for the Atom and 16 for the i5-8600K, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 16EU for the Atom and UHD Graphics 630 for the i5-8600K. The Atom is Active with a 2024 release date; the i5-8600K is End-of-life with a 2017 release date. The i5-8600K has an unlocked multiplier; the Atom does not.