CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i9-7920X and Intel Atom x7433RE are both Intel processors, but they occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The data shows a complete rout in raw performance, with the i9-7920X winning all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the Atom counters with a 9-watt TDP and a 2024 release date. The i9-7920X is a 12-core, 24-thread desktop behemoth from the Skylake-X family, while the Atom x7433RE is a 4-core, 4-thread mobile chip built on the newer Gracemont architecture. This analysis breaks down exactly where each processor wins and for whom each is designed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-7920X wins in every scenario demanding raw compute throughput. Its benchmark scores are not merely higher; they are categorically dominant. In multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R23, the i9-7920X scores 19991, a figure that dwarfs the Atom's 3535. This makes the i9-7920X the clear choice for content creation, 3D rendering, software compilation, and any task that can utilize its 24 threads. Its single-core performance is equally decisive, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2822 compared to the Atom's 499, indicating snappy responsiveness even in lightly-threaded applications.

The Intel Atom x7433RE wins in the domain of power efficiency and platform integration. Its 9-watt TDP is a fraction of the i9-7920X's 140-watt TDP, making it suitable for fanless or passively cooled embedded systems, industrial PCs, and battery-powered mobile devices. It also integrates UHD Graphics 32EU, a feature the i9-7920X lacks entirely. The Atom's performance, while far lower, is sufficient for basic tasks like data compression, encryption, and light integer math, where its Passmark scores of 43671, 3029, and 13054 respectively show it is not idle. The benchmark results indicate a clear split: the i9-7920X is for maximum performance, the Atom x7433RE is for minimal power draw in embedded roles.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is as wide as their performance gap. The i9-7920X is built on Intel's 14 nm process node, using the Skylake-X architecture with a codename of Skylake-X. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, a configuration that allows for simultaneous multithreading. Its cache hierarchy is notable: 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, plus a shared 16.5 MB L3 cache. The die size is a substantial 484 mm², reflecting the complexity of the high-core-count design.

In contrast, the Atom x7433RE is built on a 10 nm process node, using the Amston Lake architecture with the Gracemont core generation. It has just 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyperthreading. Its cache layout is different: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Atom's design prioritizes efficiency over complexity. The i9-7920X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the Atom uses single-channel DDR4 or DDR5 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i9-7920X offers 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Atom has only 9. The i9-7920X is an unlocked multiplier part for the Intel Socket 2066 platform, while the Atom is a locked, soldered BGA 1264 part. The i9-7920X is end-of-life, released in September 2017, while the Atom is active and was released in April 2024.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous, with the i9-7920X winning all five recorded comparisons by a margin of roughly 466%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-7920X scores 2015 against the Atom's 356, a 466% lead. The story repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i9-7920X's 8396 eclipses the Atom's 1484 by 465.8%. The single-core tests show the same pattern: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the i9-7920X scores 1185 versus 209, a 467% advantage.

The most dramatic difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i9-7920X scores 19991, over five and a half times the Atom's 3535, a delta of 465.5%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-7920X's 2822 is again 465.5% higher than the Atom's 499. These deltas are consistent across all tests, indicating that the i9-7920X's advantage is not workload-specific but a fundamental reflection of its superior core count, thread count, and clock speeds. The i9-7920X's base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz are significantly higher than the Atom's 1.50 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The benchmark results show no scenario where the Atom x7433RE is competitive.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-7920X is overwhelmingly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 19991 compared to the Atom x7433RE's 3535, a 465.5% difference. It also wins Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core by similar margins.

Q: Does the Atom x7433RE have any performance advantage?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i9-7920X winning all five benchmark comparisons. The Atom's only advantages are its 9-watt TDP, integrated graphics, and support for DDR5 memory, not raw performance.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i9-7920X has a TDP of 140 watts, while the Atom x7433RE has a TDP of just 9 watts. This makes the Atom far more suitable for power-constrained or fanless designs.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The i9-7920X supports quad-channel memory, while the Atom x7433RE supports single-channel memory. This contributes to the i9-7920X's much higher memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The i9-7920X is a 7th Generation Core i9 (X-Series) released in September 2017, while the Atom x7433RE is an Atom (Gracemont) released in April 2024. The i9 is built on 14 nm, and the Atom is built on 10 nm.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-7920X has no integrated graphics. The Intel Atom x7433RE includes UHD Graphics 32EU.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-7920X | Intel Atom x7433RE |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 24 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 9 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Amston Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

| L3 Cache | 16.5 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 44 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 32EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2017-09-09 | 2024-04-07 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

The Verdict

The data directs two completely different buyers to these two chips. The Intel Core i9-7920X is the unequivocal performance winner, with a 465.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 467% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, and 4.40 GHz boost clock make it the only choice for demanding desktop workloads like rendering and heavy multitasking. Its launch MSRP was $1199, and its end-of-life status means it is a legacy part.

The Intel Atom x7433RE is not a competitor in performance; it is a specialist in efficiency. With a 9-watt TDP, it is designed for embedded and mobile applications where power draw and heat dissipation are critical. Its integrated UHD Graphics 32EU and support for DDR5 memory make it a modern, low-power platform. Its average benchmark score of 5601 is nearly identical to the i9-7920X's 5673, which is misleading; this is due to the different benchmark suites used, not comparable performance. The i9-7920X's percentile of 61 and the Atom's percentile of 61 are also equal, but the head-to-head data shows the i9-7920X is over five times faster in every shared test. The verdict is clear: choose the i9-7920X for maximum compute capability, choose the Atom x7433RE for minimum power consumption and a modern embedded feature set.