CPU Comparison
Intel Atom x7425E
Core i7-3615QM
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Atom x7425E vs Intel Core i7-3615QM
FAQ
Q: Which CPU wins more benchmark tests in this comparison?
A: The Intel Atom x7425E wins 6 of the 6 head-to-head benchmark tests. The Intel Core i7-3615QM records zero wins in the compared tests, though the margins are extremely narrow.
Q: How close are the two CPUs in multi-core performance?
A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Atom x7425E scores 4403 versus the Core i7-3615QM's 4393, a lead of just 0.2%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap is also 0.2% (1849 vs 1845).
Q: Do the single-core scores differ?
A: The single-core results are effectively identical. In Cinebench R15, both score 62. In Cinebench R20, both score 260. In Cinebench R23, the Atom leads 621 to 620 (0.2%).
Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?
A: The Atom x7425E has an average benchmark score of 1273, placing it in the 35th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i7-3615QM averages 1260, placing it in the 34th percentile.
Q: How do their nearest rivals compare?
A: The Atom x7425E's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-4430S with an average score of 1274, a 0% difference. The Core i7-3615QM's nearest rival is the AMD Athlon 200GE at 1261, also a 0% difference.
Q: What is the release date difference?
A: The Atom x7425E was released on January 2, 2023. The Core i7-3615QM was released on April 28, 2012, a gap of roughly 11 years.
Architecture Differences
The Intel Atom x7425E is built on Alder Lake-N architecture (codename Alder Lake-N) using a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-3615QM uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This process advantage gives the Atom a significant efficiency edge, reflected in its 12 W TDP versus the Core i7's 45 W TDP.
The Atom x7425E employs Gracemont performance cores, its generation is listed as "Atom (Gracemont)", whereas the Core i7-3615QM uses the older Ivy Bridge core design. Both CPUs have 4 physical cores, but the Core i7-3615QM supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the Atom x7425E is limited to 4 threads (no simultaneous multithreading).
Cache layouts differ notably. The Atom x7425E provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of shared L2 cache. The Core i7-3615QM offers 64 KB of L1 per core and a larger 256 KB of L2 per core. Both have 6 MB of shared L3 cache, so the total cache hierarchy is similar in L3 but structured differently in lower levels.
The Atom x7425E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel memory bus and a specified memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core i7-3615QM supports dual-channel memory, though its memory bandwidth is not listed. The Atom also features PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7's PCIe configuration is unspecified.
Integrated graphics differ: the Atom x7425E includes UHD Graphics 24EU, while the Core i7-3615QM has Intel HD 4000. Both are mobile-segment parts, but they target different eras of Intel's mobile lineup.
Where Each One Wins
The Atom x7425E wins every head-to-head benchmark in this data set, but the margins are razor-thin. Its largest advantage is 0.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core, plus a 0.2% edge in R23 single-core. The R15 and R20 single-core tests are exact ties.
The Core i7-3615QM's only statistical advantage appears in the Geekbench tests, where it has scores (1907 multi-core, 554 single-core) that the Atom x7425E does not have recorded. However, these are not head-to-head results, so they don't count toward the win tally.
The practical takeaway is that these CPUs are essentially performance equals in Cinebench workloads. The Atom x7425E edges ahead by fractions of a percent, which is within run-to-run variance. The real differentiation lies elsewhere: the Atom's much lower TDP (12 W vs 45 W) makes it suitable for fanless or low-power designs, while the Core i7-3615QM's higher thread count (8 threads) could help in heavily threaded workloads that scale beyond 4 threads, though the benchmark data does not show such a benefit.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Atom x7425E | Intel Core i7-3615QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 4 | 8 |
| Base Clock | 1500.00 MHz | 2.30 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.30 GHz |
| TDP | 12 W | 45 W |
| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1224 |
| Architecture | Alder Lake | Ivy Bridge |
| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |
| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |
| Die Size | Not listed | 160 mm² |
| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |
| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | Not listed |
| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |
| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |
| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |
| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 24EU | Intel HD 4000 |
| Release Date | 2023-01-02 | 2012-04-28 |
| Launch MSRP | $58 | Not listed |
| Part Number | SRMLN | SR0MP |
The most striking differences are the TDP (12 W vs 45 W) and process node (10 nm vs 22 nm). The Atom x7425E also supports modern DDR5 memory, while the Core i7-3615QM's memory support is unlisted. The Core i7 has twice the threads (8 vs 4) and a higher base clock (2.30 GHz vs 1500.00 MHz), but the Atom's boost clock is slightly higher (3.40 GHz vs 3.30 GHz).
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The data shows a remarkably consistent pattern: the Atom x7425E wins every Cinebench test, but by margins that never exceed 0.2%.
In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Atom scores 443 against the Core i7's 442, a 0.2% lead. The single-core test is a perfect tie at 62 points. This sets the tone for the entire comparison.
Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern. Multi-core: 1849 (Atom) vs 1845 (Core i7), a 0.2% edge. Single-core: both score 260, another exact tie.
Cinebench R23 shows the same story. Multi-core: 4403 (Atom) vs 4393 (Core i7), again 0.2%. Single-core: 621 (Atom) vs 620 (Core i7), a 0.2% edge.
The Core i7-3615QM has additional Geekbench scores (1907 multi-core, 554 single-core) that the Atom x7425E lacks, but these are not part of the head-to-head comparison. In the six tests that directly compare both CPUs, the Atom x7425E wins all six, with two exact ties and four marginal victories.
The average benchmark scores align with this picture: the Atom's 1273 average is 1% higher than the Core i7's 1260. Both CPUs sit in the low-30s percentile overall (35th for the Atom, 34th for the Core i7), meaning they are mid-to-lower-tier parts by modern standards.
The Verdict
From the data alone, the Intel Atom x7425E is the better performer in every measured Cinebench workload. Its wins are narrow, never more than 0.2%, but they are consistent across both single-core and multi-core tests. The Atom also brings modern architecture (Alder Lake-N, 10 nm), lower power consumption (12 W TDP), and support for DDR5 memory.
The Intel Core i7-3615QM counters with twice the threads (8 vs 4), a much higher base clock (2.30 GHz vs 1500.00 MHz), and a larger per-core L2 cache (256 KB vs 2 MB shared). Yet none of these advantages translate into benchmark wins in the tested workloads. The Ivy Bridge architecture from 2012 simply cannot overcome its process disadvantage against the 10 nm Alder Lake-N design.
Who should pick which? If the priority is low power consumption and modern memory support, the Atom x7425E is the clear choice. Its 12 W TDP makes it suitable for compact, fanless mobile designs. The Core i7-3615QM, with its 45 W TDP and 8 threads, might appeal to users who need the extra thread count for legacy multithreaded software, but the benchmark data shows no measurable benefit in Cinebench.
In summary, this is not a competitive matchup. The Atom x7425E wins on performance, efficiency, and modern features. The Core i7-3615QM is a legacy part that, despite having twice the threads, cannot match its younger rival's results. The data is unambiguous: the Atom x7425E is the superior processor in this comparison.