Intel Atom x7433RE vs Intel Xeon W-2170B Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon W-2170B dominates every shared benchmark in the database, and the margins are extreme. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2085 against 356 for the Atom x7433RE, a lead of 485.7%. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon posts 8691 versus 1484, a 485.6% advantage. Single-core results tell the same story: the Xeon reaches 1226 in Cinebench R20 single-core, while the Atom manages only 209, a 486.6% gap. In Cinebench R23, the Xeon delivers 20693 multi-core and 2921 single-core, against 3535 and 499 for the Atom, respectively, both representing 485.4% leads. Across all five head-to-head tests, the Xeon holds a perfect 5-0 record.

These are not incremental wins; they are generational separations. The Xeon outperforms the Atom by nearly five times in every shared workload. The delta percentages are strikingly consistent, hovering between 485.4% and 486.6%, which suggests the difference is structural rather than workload-specific. The Atom does not close the gap in any test, and its best relative showing is still a 485.4% deficit. The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the Xeon is in a different performance class entirely.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of Intel's design spectrum. The Xeon W-2170B uses the Skylake-W architecture, built on a 14 nm process with a 484 mm² die. It packs 14 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Atom x7433RE, by contrast, uses the Amston Lake architecture with Gracemont cores on a 10 nm process, offering 4 cores and 4 threads at a 1.50 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The Xeon's thermal envelope is 140 W, while the Atom consumes just 9 W, a difference that reflects their respective server and mobile design goals.

Cache configurations further separate them. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3. The Atom has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support diverges sharply: the Xeon uses DDR4 with a quad-channel bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Atom supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but only on a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon also enables ECC memory, whereas the Atom does not.

PCIe lanes differ as well. The Xeon offers 48 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, the Atom just 9. The Atom includes integrated UHD Graphics 32EU, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Xeon targets the Server/Workstation segment and is end-of-life, released in December 2017. The Atom is an active Mobile part, released in April 2024. The Xeon's socket is Intel Socket 2066; the Atom uses Intel BGA 1264. The Xeon's part number is SR3W3, the Atom's is SRNEQ. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear choice for compute-heavy workloads: the Intel Xeon W-2170B wins every benchmark in the comparison. Its multi-core scores are roughly 5.85 times higher than the Atom's across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The Xeon also leads in single-core by the same approximate factor, meaning the Atom's newer architecture and higher per-core L1 cache do not translate into actual superiority. The Xeon's 14 cores with 28 threads, quad-channel memory, and 48 PCIe lanes make it the only sensible pick for rendering, compilation, virtualization, or any multithreaded task where the 140 W power draw is acceptable.

The Atom x7433RE, however, is not without a role. Its 9 W TDP and integrated graphics position it for fanless or low-power embedded systems, industrial controllers, or portable devices where battery life and thermal constraints outweigh raw throughput. Its active production status and 2024 release date also mean it remains a current part, unlike the end-of-life Xeon. The Atom's support for DDR5 memory is a forward-looking feature, even if the single-channel bus limits realized bandwidth.

The verdict depends entirely on the use case. For raw performance, the Xeon wins without qualification. For low-power operation and modern platform integration, the Atom is the only viable option in this pairing. The database shows zero overlap in their intended roles.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2170B. It scores 2085 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 356 for the Atom, 8691 versus 1484 in R20, and 20693 versus 3535 in R23. That is a consistent 485.4% to 485.7% advantage.

Q: Does the Atom win any benchmark against the Xeon?

A: No. Across all five head-to-head tests, the Xeon wins all of them. The Atom's best result is still 485.4% behind the Xeon in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Xeon has a 140 W TDP, while the Atom is rated at 9 W. The Atom uses about 6% of the Xeon's thermal budget.

Q: Does the Atom support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon supports ECC memory, the Atom does not. The Atom also uses a single-channel memory bus, while the Xeon uses quad-channel.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Atom x7433RE includes UHD Graphics 32EU. The Xeon W-2170B has no integrated graphics.

Q: Are both CPUs currently available?

A: The Atom is marked as Active production. The Xeon is end-of-life, having been released in December 2017. The Atom was released in April 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W-2170B wins in every scenario where performance is the primary criterion. Its 14 cores and 28 threads, combined with a 4.30 GHz boost clock and 19.25 MB of L3 cache, make it the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, scientific simulation, and database processing. The quad-channel memory bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth supports memory-intensive workloads, and the 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes allow for extensive expansion. Its single-core scores, 1226 in R20 and 2921 in R23, also beat the Atom's 209 and 499 by roughly 486%, so even lightly threaded tasks favor the Xeon. The Xeon's ECC support is a requirement for certain server and workstation environments where data integrity is non-negotiable.

The Atom x7433RE wins in scenarios where power efficiency and physical footprint dominate. At 9 W, it can operate in passively cooled systems, battery-powered devices, and compact embedded platforms where the Xeon's 140 W envelope would be impractical. Its integrated UHD Graphics 32EU removes the need for a discrete GPU in basic display or multimedia applications. The Atom's support for DDR5 memory, despite single-channel bandwidth, offers a modern memory pathway. Its 2024 release and active production status mean it is a viable choice for new designs, whereas the Xeon is end-of-life. The Atom's 4 cores and 4 threads are sufficient for control systems, IoT gateways, or light edge computing tasks that do not demand heavy parallel throughput.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2170B | Intel Atom x7433RE |

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

| Cores | 14 | 4 |

| Threads | 28 | 4 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 9 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Amston Lake |

| Codename | Skylake-W | Amston Lake |

| Generation | Xeon W (Skylake-W) | Atom (Gracemont) |

| Process node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | 484 mm² | Not listed |

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

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

| L3 cache | 19.25 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 |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 48 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | UHD Graphics 32EU |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | December 2017 | April 2024 |

| Part number | SR3W3 | SRNEQ |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | No |