CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12700T and the Intel Atom x7433RE sit at opposite ends of Intel’s product stack, yet benchmark aggregates place them nearly neck-and-neck in the database. The i7-12700T posts an average benchmark score of 5606, while the Atom x7433RE scores 5601, a delta of just 0.1%. That headline parity is misleading, however, as the two CPUs achieve that average through entirely different workloads. The data shows a clear split: the i7-12700T dominates traditional compute benchmarks with massive margins, while the Atom x7433RE’s average is buoyed by specialized Passmark tests where it is competitive or superior. This analysis breaks down exactly where each chip wins, what the architecture differences mean, and which buyer should choose which.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head Cinebench results are not close. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-12700T scores 18012 against the Atom’s 3535, a 409.5% advantage. That pattern repeats across every shared test. Cinebench R23 single-core sees the i7-12700T at 2542 versus 499 for the Atom, a 409.4% delta. The story is identical in Cinebench R20: multi-core 7565 vs 1484 (409.8%), and single-core 1067 vs 209 (410.5%). Even the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows 1815 vs 356, another 409.8% gap. The i7-12700T wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with deltas consistently hovering around 410%.

What makes these numbers striking is not just the magnitude but the consistency. Every Cinebench variant, regardless of rendering complexity or threading model, produces nearly the same percentage gap. That suggests a fundamental throughput difference rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i7-12700T’s scores are roughly five times higher across the board. For any buyer relying on Cinebench as a proxy for rendering, video encoding, or CPU-bound productivity, the i7-12700T is in a different league entirely.

The Atom x7433RE does not appear in the head-to-head Cinebench table for single-core R15, and its own benchmark list shows it was not tested in Geekbench at all. Its available scores tell a different story. In Passmark integer math, the Atom scores 13054, and in floating-point math it hits 8582. Passmark data compression yields 43671, and data encryption scores 3029. These are not directly comparable to the i7-12700T because the i7-12700T has no Passmark entries in the FACT PACK, but they explain why the Atom’s average benchmark score sits so close to the i7-12700T’s. The i7-12700T’s Geekbench multi-core score of 11502 and single-core score of 2089 are its mid-range data points, while the Atom’s Passmark multithread score of 4159 and single-thread score of 1568 pull its average up.

Architecture Differences

The core counts and thread configurations tell the primary story. The i7-12700T has 12 cores and 20 threads, built on the Alder Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node. The Atom x7433RE has 4 cores and 4 threads, using the Amston Lake architecture, also on a 10 nm node. Both are Intel foundry parts, but the design philosophies diverge sharply.

Clock speeds favor the i7-12700T in boost, though not in base. The i7-12700T has a base clock of 1400 MHz and boosts to 4.70 GHz. The Atom x7433RE has a higher base clock of 1.50 GHz but a much lower boost of 3.40 GHz. That higher boost ceiling on the i7-12700T, combined with 3x the cores and 5x the threads, explains the Cinebench dominance.

Cache allocation is fundamentally different. The i7-12700T uses a hybrid layout: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3. The Atom x7433RE has 96 KB of L1 per core, but its 2 MB L2 is shared across all cores, and its L3 is only 6 MB shared. The i7-12700T’s per-core L2 gives each core dedicated fast memory, while the Atom’s shared L2 is a cost-saving measure for low-power operation.

Memory support shows both support DDR4 and DDR5, but the memory bus differs. The i7-12700T runs dual-channel, while the Atom x7433RE is single-channel. The Atom’s memory bandwidth is listed at 38.4 GB/s, a figure the i7-12700T does not have specified, but single-channel inherently limits bandwidth versus dual-channel. Neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities are another major split. The i7-12700T offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Atom x7433RE is limited to Gen 3 with 9 lanes. That is a four-generation gap in interface speed and more than double the lane count, which directly impacts expandability for GPUs, NVMe drives, and other peripherals.

The i7-12700T integrates UHD Graphics 770, while the Atom x7433RE has UHD Graphics 32EU. The i7-12700T is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, whereas the Atom x7433RE is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1264. Thermal design power also differs significantly: the i7-12700T is rated at 35W, while the Atom x7433RE sips just 9W. The i7-12700T is unlocked for overclocking (multiplier unlocked is false in the data, so it is not overclockable), and its launch MSRP is $339. The Atom x7433RE launched at $63.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for compute-heavy workloads. The i7-12700T is 409.5% ahead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 409.4% ahead in single-core. If the task involves rendering, compiling, or any CPU-bound multithreaded work, the i7-12700T is the only rational choice. Its 12 cores and 20 threads, dual-channel memory, and Gen 5 PCIe make it a full desktop-class part with headroom for expansion. The 35W TDP is low for a desktop chip, but still four times the Atom’s 9W.

The Atom x7433RE should not be dismissed. Its Passmark results show competency in specific embedded or low-power tasks: integer math at 13054, floating-point at 8582, and data compression at 43671. Its single-thread Passmark score of 1568 is respectable for a 9W chip. The data suggests it is designed for fanless, battery-powered, or thermally constrained industrial systems where the i7-12700T cannot physically fit or stay cool.

The average benchmark scores being nearly identical (5606 vs 5601) is a statistical artifact, not a sign of comparable performance. The i7-12700T’s average is pulled down by its lower Geekbench scores relative to its Cinebench peaks, while the Atom’s average is pulled up by Passmark tests that reward its efficiency-focused architecture. Any buyer comparing these two should ignore the aggregate and focus on the specific workload.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700T scores 18012, while the Intel Atom x7433RE scores 3535. The i7-12700T is 409.5% faster.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The i7-12700T has 12 cores and 20 threads. The Atom x7433RE has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5. However, the i7-12700T uses dual-channel memory, while the Atom x7433RE is single-channel.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i7-12700T has a TDP of 35W, and the Atom x7433RE has a TDP of 9W.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-12700T boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the Atom x7433RE boosts to 3.40 GHz. The Atom has a higher base clock at 1.50 GHz versus 1.40 GHz.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities?

A: The i7-12700T supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Atom x7433RE supports PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes.

Q: Do either of these CPUs have a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i7-12700T averages 5606, and the Atom x7433RE averages 5601, a difference of 0.1%.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-12700T wins every multi-core and single-core Cinebench test in the head-to-head data. That makes it the pick for any workload that scales with thread count or depends on high per-core clock speeds. The 18012 Cinebench R23 multi-core score indicates strong rendering performance. The 2542 single-core score shows it also handles lightly-threaded tasks like web browsing or office applications with ease, though those are not benchmarked here. Its dual-channel memory and Gen 5 PCIe support mean it can feed a discrete GPU or fast NVMe storage without bottlenecking, making it suitable for a desktop workstation or a high-end all-in-one.

The Atom x7433RE wins in the efficiency and embedded space. Its 9W TDP allows for passive cooling in sealed enclosures. The Passmark data compression score of 43671 is the highest single test result in its list, indicating strong performance for data streaming or compression workloads. Its integer math score of 13054 and floating-point math score of 8582 suggest it can handle control logic, sensor processing, or basic industrial automation tasks. The single-channel memory and Gen 3 PCIe are sufficient for low-bandwidth peripherals. The mobile form factor on BGA 1264 means it is soldered to a board, not upgradeable, but that is acceptable for a fixed-function device.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-12700T | Intel Atom x7433RE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 20 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1400 MHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 9W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Amston Lake |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Amston Lake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Alder Lake-S) | Atom (Gracemont) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

| L3 Cache | 25 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 9 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 32EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Launch MSRP | $339 | $63 |

| Part Number | SRL4S | SRNEQ |