Intel Atom x7425E vs Intel Core i7-3610QE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-3610QE across all six Cinebench comparisons, but the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3610QE scores 456 against the Atom x7425E's 443, a delta of 2.9%. The single-core result in the same test is 64 versus 62, a slightly larger 3.2% gap. These are not dominant victories; they reflect two processors landing in the same performance tier despite very different designs.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i7-3610QE posts 1903 multicore points, while the Atom x7425E reaches 1849, again a 2.9% delta. In single-core R20, 268 beats 260, a 3.1% margin. The R23 results continue the trend: 4533 versus 4403 in multicore (3% delta) and 639 versus 621 in single-core (2.9% delta). Every head-to-head test records the i7-3610QE as the winner, but the largest advantage anywhere is only 3.2%.

The average benchmark score from the database places the i7-3610QE at 1297, with its nearest rival the Intel Core i5-3570K at 1293, a 0.3% difference. The Atom x7425E averages 1273, sitting closest to the Intel Core i5-4430S at 1274, with a 0% delta. Both CPUs occupy the 35th percentile among all processors in the database, which means their overall standing is virtually identical. The head-to-head wins for the i7-3610QE are real but small enough that they do not separate the two in global rankings.

It is worth remembering the Atom x7425E has no head-to-head victories in any recorded test. The i7-3610QE wins all six comparisons, yet the margins never exceed single-digit percentages. In practical terms, these chips deliver nearly interchangeable rendering performance in Cinebench workloads, with the older Ivy Bridge part holding a slight edge.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3610QE wins every benchmark where both were measured, so its advantage is universal across the Cinebench suite. That includes multicore tests, which benefit from its 8 threads versus the Atom x7425E's 4 threads. The i7-3610QE also takes single-core tests, albeit by a smaller relative margin in R23 (2.9%) than in R15 (3.2%). For users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the i7-3610QE is the better pick according to the recorded scores.

The Atom x7425E does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head set, but its scores are close enough that it cannot be dismissed. In R23 multicore, it trails by only 130 points out of 4533, roughly a 3% deficit. In single-core R23, the gap is 18 points. These differences are within run-to-run variance for many systems. The Atom's real advantage lies outside the Cinebench results: its 12W TDP is dramatically lower than the i7-3610QE's 45W TDP, and it supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-3610QE uses dual-channel memory without a listed bandwidth figure.

For workloads that stress memory bandwidth, the Atom's 38.4 GB/s specification is documented, while the i7-3610QE has no comparable figure in the database. The Atom also has a higher boost clock at 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, though its base clock is far lower at 1500 MHz against 2.30 GHz. In sustained all-core loads, the i7-3610QE's higher base clock and 8 threads likely explain its consistent Cinebench lead, but the Atom's lower power envelope makes it suitable for scenarios where thermal and energy constraints dominate.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-3610QE as the faster processor in every measured Cinebench test. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with deltas ranging from 2.9% to 3.2%. If the sole criterion is rendering performance in Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the i7-3610QE is the correct choice. Its 8 threads and 45W TDP are consistent with a mobile part designed for heavier sustained loads.

However, the Atom x7425E is not far behind. Its average benchmark score of 1273 sits within 2% of the i7-3610QE's 1297, and both share the 35th percentile among all CPUs. The Atom achieves this with a 12W TDP, a 3.40 GHz boost clock, and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory. For systems where power draw is critical, such as fanless enclosures or battery-powered devices, the Atom's efficiency makes it a rational alternative despite losing every Cinebench comparison.

The launch MSRP for the Atom x7425E is $58, a figure the database records. The i7-3610QE has no listed launch MSRP. Users prioritizing raw Cinebench numbers should select the i7-3610QE. Users prioritizing power efficiency and modern memory support, while accepting a small performance penalty, should consider the Atom x7425E. The recorded data does not show any scenario where the Atom wins a benchmark, so the verdict hinges on non-benchmark characteristics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QE scores 4533, while the Intel Atom x7425E scores 4403, giving the i7-3610QE a 3% lead.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest delta is 3.2%, recorded in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i7-3610QE scores 64 and the Atom x7425E scores 62.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-3610QE averages 1297, and the Atom x7425E averages 1273. Both sit in the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Does the Atom x7425E win any head-to-head test?

A: No. The recorded data shows the i7-3610QE winning all six comparisons, with the Atom losing each by 2.9% to 3.2%.

Q: What memory support does each processor offer?

A: The Atom x7425E supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-3610QE uses dual-channel memory, but no specific bandwidth figure is recorded.

Q: What are the power ratings for these CPUs?

A: The i7-3610QE has a 45W TDP, while the Atom x7425E has a 12W TDP, a substantial efficiency difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-3610QE is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm architecture with a die size of 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. It uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B) and features 4 cores with 8 threads. Its cache layout includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost of 3.30 GHz. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000, and ECC memory is not supported.

The Intel Atom x7425E is based on Alder Lake-N, using the Gracemont core architecture on a 10 nm process. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The cache configuration differs notably: 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Atom supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3610QE uses dual-channel memory without a listed bandwidth. The Atom's integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 24EU, and it uses Intel BGA 1264. Its PCIe support is Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3610QE has no PCIe details recorded.

The process node difference is significant: 22 nm for Ivy Bridge versus 10 nm for Alder Lake-N. The Atom's 10 nm process allows for a much lower 12W TDP, compared to the i7-3610QE's 45W TDP, despite the Atom having a higher boost clock. The i7-3610QE compensates with a higher base clock and simultaneous multithreading (8 threads versus 4), which explains its consistent Cinebench wins. The Atom's larger L2 cache (2 MB shared versus 256 KB per core) and newer architecture do not overcome the thread count disadvantage in these specific tests.

The i7-3610QE was released in 2012, while the Atom x7425E launched in 2023, an eleven-year gap. The Atom remains in active production, whereas the i7-3610QE has no recorded production status. The Atom's part number is SRMLN, and the i7-3610QE is SR0NP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-3610QE belongs to the Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) generation, and the Atom x7425E is part of the Atom (Gracemont) generation. These architectural differences produce nearly identical Cinebench scores, which confirms how far efficient small-core designs have come.