Intel Atom x7809C vs Intel Core i7-7700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Atom x7809C compare to the Intel Core i7-7700 in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Atom x7809C has an average benchmark score of 12607, while the Core i7-7700 sits at 11914. The Atom also places in the 67th percentile of all CPUs, identical to the Core i7-7700's 67th percentile ranking.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The Atom x7809C wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests by nearly 9%. It scores 805 in R15 multi-core versus 740, 3358 in R20 multi-core versus 3084, and 7997 in R23 multi-core versus 7344.

Q: Is the Core i7-7700 better in any benchmark category?

A: Yes, the Core i7-7700 wins in single-threaded Passmark tests by a wide margin, scoring 2442 versus 1462, which is a 40.1% advantage. It also leads in data compression by 8.9% (122429 versus 111525) and extended instructions by 32.2% (8128 versus 5509).

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

A: The largest delta is in Passmark data encryption, where the Atom x7809C scores 7832 versus 2974 for the Core i7-7700, a 163.3% advantage. The second largest gap is the Core i7-7700's 40.1% lead in Passmark single-thread performance.

Q: How do their core and thread counts differ?

A: The Atom x7809C has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i7-7700 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having half the cores, the Core i7-7700 matches the thread count through Hyper-Threading technology.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth support?

A: Both chips list a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, but the Atom x7809C supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a single-channel bus, while the Core i7-7700 uses dual-channel DDR4 only.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Atom x7809C is built on the Amston Lake architecture using Intel's 10 nm process node, while the Core i7-7700 uses the older Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. This generational gap explains several key differences beyond raw clock speeds.

The Atom x7809C features 8 Gracemont cores with 8 threads, a configuration designed for efficiency-focused workloads. Each core carries 96 KB of L1 cache, and each module gets 2 MB of L2 cache, backed by 6 MB of shared L3 cache. In contrast, the Core i7-7700 packs 4 Kaby Lake cores with 8 threads, 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Atom's higher core count compensates for its smaller per-core caches in multi-threaded scenarios.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Atom x7809C runs at a 2.00 GHz base clock with a 3.60 GHz boost, while the Core i7-7700 starts at 3.60 GHz and boosts to 4.20 GHz. The Core i7's higher clocks give it a decisive edge in single-threaded workloads, while the Atom's extra cores help it win multi-threaded tests despite lower frequencies.

Power and platform characteristics diverge sharply. The Atom x7809C is a 25 W mobile processor on Intel BGA 1264, whereas the Core i7-7700 is a 65 W desktop part on Socket 1151. The Atom supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel bus, while the Core i7-7700 uses dual-channel DDR4 only. Both list identical 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Atom offers 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7-7700 provides 16 Gen 3 lanes. The Core i7-7700 includes integrated HD 630 graphics; the Atom has no integrated GPU. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both are factory locked with no unlocked multiplier.

The Atom x7809C was released in April 2024 with a launch MSRP of $117. The Core i7-7700 launched in January 2017. Both remain in active production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split: the Atom x7809C dominates multi-threaded and several math-heavy workloads, while the Core i7-7700 takes single-threaded and specific instruction-heavy tests.

Starting with Cinebench, the Atom wins every test by roughly 9%. In R15 multi-core, it scores 805 against 740, an 8.8% margin. The R15 single-core test shows 113 versus 104, an 8.7% edge. R20 multi-core gives 3358 versus 3084 (8.9%), and R20 single-core gives 474 versus 435 (9%). R23 multi-core records 7997 versus 7344 (8.9%), and R23 single-core records 1129 versus 1036 (9%). These consistent margins suggest the Atom's architecture scales better in both parallel and lightly threaded Cinebench workloads.

Passmark results reveal where each chip excels. The Atom wins Passmark multithread with 9409 versus 8635, a 9% lead. Physics testing shows a 16.7% advantage for the Atom, scoring 686 versus 588. Floating point math favors the Atom at 17856 versus 16904 (5.6%), and integer math gives it 28946 versus 27538 (5.1%). Prime number finding is nearly tied at 29 versus 28, a 3.6% Atom edge. Random string sorting is close too, with the Atom at 15728 versus 15509 (1.4%).

The most striking result is data encryption, where the Atom scores 7832 against the Core i7-7700's 2974, a massive 163.3% advantage. This indicates the Atom's instruction set handles encryption workloads far more efficiently.

The Core i7-7700 fights back in three areas. Passmark single-thread and singlethread tests both show 2442 versus 1462, a 40.1% lead for the Core i7. Data compression goes to the Core i7 at 122429 versus 111525, an 8.9% margin. Extended instructions favor the Core i7 heavily at 8128 versus 5509, a 32.2% difference. These wins align with the Core i7's higher clock speeds and mature desktop architecture.

Counting the wins, the Atom takes 13 benchmark categories while the Core i7-7700 takes 4 (counting the duplicated single-thread test once, it is 13 versus 3). However, the magnitude of the Core i7's single-thread and extended instruction wins matters for certain applications.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Atom x7809C as the stronger overall processor for multi-threaded workloads. Its 8 cores deliver wins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, plus Passmark multithread, physics, floating point, integer math, and encryption. The 163.3% encryption advantage is particularly notable for any workload involving cryptographic operations.

The Intel Core i7-7700 remains relevant for single-threaded tasks. Its 40.1% lead in Passmark single-thread performance and 32.2% lead in extended instructions make it the better choice for legacy software that relies on high clock speeds and older instruction optimizations. The 8.9% data compression win also suggests an edge in file archiving scenarios.

Consider the Atom x7809C if the workload is modern, parallel, or encryption-heavy. Consider the Core i7-7700 if the primary tasks are single-threaded or depend on extended instruction sets. Both processors sit at the 67th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a class leader, but they serve different niches within that tier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Atom x7809C | Intel Core i7-7700 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Amston Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU) |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | HD 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2024-04-07 | 2017-01-02 |

| Part Number | SRNEN | SR338 |

Where Each One Wins

The Atom x7809C wins where core count and modern efficiency matter. Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests all go to the Atom by roughly 9%, showing balanced improvement across rendering workloads. Passmark multithread, physics, floating point math, and integer math all favor the Atom with margins between 5.1% and 16.7%. The encryption result stands out: a 163.3% advantage that makes the Atom the clear pick for security-related processing. Prime number finding and random string sorting are essentially tied, with slight Atom edges of 3.6% and 1.4% respectively.

The Core i7-7700 wins where clock speed and older instruction sets dominate. Its 40.1% lead in Passmark single-thread performance is the largest non-encryption gap in the comparison. Extended instructions favor the Core i7 by 32.2%, which matters for software compiled with legacy SIMD or specialized instruction paths. Data compression gives the Core i7 an 8.9% edge, useful for archiving or backup utilities. The Core i7's dual-channel memory bus and 16 PCIe lanes also make it more suitable for desktop expansion, though these do not appear in benchmark scores.

For a mobile or embedded deployment prioritizing power efficiency and encryption, the Atom x7809C is the data-backed choice. For desktop use with single-threaded legacy applications, the Core i7-7700 retains a measurable advantage. The benchmark record shows a 13 to 3 win count for the Atom, but the Core i7's wins are concentrated in categories that some users may value more than raw multi-thread throughput.