CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5930K is in a completely different performance class than the Intel Atom x7211RE, winning every single head-to-head benchmark by a margin of roughly 79.5% to 79.7%. Despite the Atom’s much newer 10 nm process and higher boost clock, the i7-5930K’s six cores and twelve threads overwhelm the Atom’s two cores in every multi-threaded and single-threaded test. The data shows that the i7-5930K is 4.9 times faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Atom x7211RE counters with a 50th percentile ranking that matches its rival’s overall standing, making this a contest of raw throughput versus modern efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Atom x7211RE posts an average benchmark score of 2811, while the Intel Core i7-5930K scores 2775, giving the Atom a slim 36-point advantage despite losing every head-to-head test.

Q: How much faster is the Core i7-5930K in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-5930K scores 8791 versus the Atom’s 1804, a delta of -79.5% for the Atom. This means the i7-5930K delivers roughly 4.9 times the multi-threaded rendering performance.

Q: What is the single-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The i7-5930K scores 1241 in single-core, while the Atom scores 254, resulting in a -79.5% delta. The i7-5930K is approximately 4.9 times faster in this test.

Q: Do both processors have the same market segment?

A: No. The Atom x7211RE is a Mobile segment processor, while the Core i7-5930K is a Desktop segment processor. This difference is reflected in their sockets, TDP, and memory support.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Atom x7211RE has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, which is higher than the Core i7-5930K’s boost clock of 3.70 GHz. However, the i7-5930K has a much higher base clock of 3.50 GHz compared to the Atom’s 1.00 GHz.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No. The Atom x7211RE is marked as Active, while the Core i7-5930K is End-of-life. The Atom was released in 2024, whereas the i7-5930K was released in 2014.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two CPUs is stark. The Atom x7211RE is built on the Amston Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node, featuring two cores and two threads. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i7-5930K, in contrast, uses the Haswell-E architecture on a 22 nm process, with six cores and twelve threads. It carries 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3, along with a transistor count of 2,600 million and a die size of 356 mm². The Atom has no listed transistor count or die size.

Memory support diverges sharply: the Atom supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-5930K supports only DDR4 but uses a quad-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the Atom offering Gen 3 with 9 lanes versus the i7-5930K’s Gen 3 with 40 lanes. The Atom includes integrated UHD Graphics 16EU, while the i7-5930K has no integrated graphics. The Atom’s TDP is 6 watts versus the i7-5930K’s 140 watts, and the Atom uses socket Intel BGA 1264 while the i7-5930K uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Atom is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-5930K wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, with the Atom x7211RE trailing by almost identical margins across every workload. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-5930K scores 886 against the Atom’s 181, a -79.6% delta. The R20 multi-core test shows the i7-5930K at 3692 versus 757, a -79.5% delta. R20 single-core follows the same pattern: 521 for the i7-5930K and 106 for the Atom, a -79.7% delta. Moving to R23, the i7-5930K posts 8791 multi-core and 1241 single-core, while the Atom manages only 1804 and 254, respectively, each with a -79.5% delta.

These deltas are remarkably consistent, suggesting that the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The i7-5930K’s advantage stems from its 6 cores and 12 threads, which provide 3x the core count and 6x the thread count of the Atom. Even in single-core tests, where the Atom’s higher boost clock of 3.20 GHz might help, the i7-5930K’s 3.70 GHz boost and larger 15 MB L3 cache dominate. The Atom’s best showing relative to the i7-5930K is in R15 multi-core at -79.6%, while its worst is R20 single-core at -79.7%, a negligible spread. There are no benchmark wins for the Atom in this dataset, and the i7-5930K takes all five tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Atom x7211RE has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the i7-5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.00 GHz for the Atom and 3.50 GHz for the i7-5930K, with boost clocks of 3.20 GHz and 3.70 GHz, respectively. TDP is a major differentiator: the Atom draws 6 watts, while the i7-5930K draws 140 watts. The Atom uses Intel BGA 1264, and the i7-5930K uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The process nodes are 10 nm for the Atom and 22 nm for the i7-5930K.

Cache configurations differ substantially: the Atom has 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3, while the i7-5930K has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 15 MB shared L3. Memory support shows the Atom accepting DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, versus the i7-5930K’s DDR4-only quad-channel bus at 68.3 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 9 for the Atom and 40 for the i7-5930K, both Gen 3. The Atom has integrated UHD Graphics 16EU, but the i7-5930K has none. The Atom is a Mobile segment part, while the i7-5930K is Desktop. Production status is Active for the Atom and End-of-life for the i7-5930K. The i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Atom does not.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict: the Intel Core i7-5930K is the superior performer in every benchmark category, with a 5-0 head-to-head record and consistent 79.5% to 79.7% margins over the Atom x7211RE. For any workload measured here, rendering, single-threaded tasks, or multi-threaded throughput, the i7-5930K is approximately 4.9 times faster. The Atom’s only statistical advantage is its average benchmark score of 2811 versus 2775, a 1.3% edge that does not translate into a single test win. The i7-5930K’s 6-core, 12-thread configuration, 15 MB L3 cache, and quad-channel memory bandwidth are decisive factors.

However, the Atom x7211RE is not without merit. Its 6-watt TDP, 10 nm process, and modern Amston Lake architecture make it a far more efficient part, and its Active production status contrasts with the i7-5930K’s End-of-life status. The Atom also supports DDR5 memory and includes integrated graphics, which the i7-5930K lacks. For users prioritizing low power consumption, integrated graphics, and a current platform, the Atom is the logical choice. For raw computational performance, the i7-5930K is the only option in this comparison, despite its age and higher power draw.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-5930K wins in every task that involves processing power. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 886 versus 181 makes it the pick for legacy multi-threaded applications. The R20 multi-core result of 3692 versus 757 and R23 multi-core of 8791 versus 1804 reinforce its dominance in modern rendering and content creation workloads. Single-core tasks also favor the i7-5930K, with R20 at 521 versus 106 and R23 at 1241 versus 254. This means the i7-5930K is preferable for any CPU-bound application, from video encoding to 3D modeling, where its 12 threads and quad-channel memory bandwidth provide substantial headroom.

The Intel Atom x7211RE wins in scenarios where performance per watt and platform features matter more than benchmark scores. Its 6-watt TDP makes it suitable for fanless or battery-constrained designs, and its integrated UHD Graphics 16EU eliminates the need for a discrete GPU. The Atom’s support for DDR5 memory and its Mobile segment designation position it for embedded or portable systems. Its Active production status ensures availability, while the i7-5930K is End-of-life. The Atom’s average benchmark score of 2811, which edges out the i7-5930K’s 2775, suggests that in aggregate workloads outside the head-to-head tests, the Atom can hold its own on a per-watt basis. Ultimately, the i7-5930K is for users who need maximum compute, while the Atom is for those who need a modern, efficient, and integrated solution.