CPU Comparison

The Intel Atom x7835RE and Intel Core i5-10300H are both mobile processors, but they target entirely different ends of the performance and efficiency spectrum. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Core i5-10300H dominates in nearly every compute-heavy task, while the Atom x7835RE posts a single, striking victory in one specific encryption workload. This comparison is less about which chip is "better" overall and more about which one is appropriate for the intended use case.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-10300H is the superior performer for general and multi-threaded workloads. It wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with its most significant advantages coming in single-threaded performance and data compression. The Atom x7835RE, by contrast, is a low-power part (12W TDP vs. 45W) whose sole benchmark win is in data encryption, where it more than doubles the Core i5's score.

Choose the Intel Core i5-10300H if your priority is raw compute speed, responsiveness in single-threaded applications, or handling complex multi-threaded tasks like video rendering or software compilation. The Atom x7835RE is the pick for scenarios where the 12W power envelope is critical and the workload is heavily focused on encryption, where its 101.4% lead over the Core i5 is decisive. For any other general-purpose use, the Core i5-10300H is the clear choice based on the benchmark results.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Atom x7835RE uses the Amston Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process, and features 8 Gracemont cores with 8 threads. It has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Core i5-10300H, on the other hand, uses the older Comet Lake-H architecture on a 14 nm process, with 4 cores and 8 threads (thanks to Hyper-Threading). It runs at a substantially higher base clock of 2.50 GHz and boosts to 4.50 GHz.

The cache hierarchies differ as well. The Atom x7835RE has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per module, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The Core i5-10300H has a smaller 64 KB L1 per core but a larger 256 KB L2 per core, also with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The Atom's higher core count (8 vs. 4) is offset by the Core i5's higher clock speeds and more efficient per-core design.

Memory support also diverges. The Atom x7835RE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel memory bus, providing 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i5-10300H supports DDR3 and DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, achieving a higher 46.9 GB/s. The Atom uses a Gen 3 PCIe interface with 9 lanes, while the Core i5 also uses Gen 3 but without specifying lane count in the data. Both processors feature integrated UHD Graphics, though the Atom's version is listed as 32EU.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-10300H is the winner in essentially every general-purpose category. Its lead is most pronounced in single-threaded performance, where it scores 2537 in PassMark single-thread tests versus the Atom's 1599, a 37% advantage. This translates directly into snappier application loading and better performance in lightly-threaded software. Data compression is another major win, with the Core i5 scoring 117306 versus the Atom's 76736, a 34.6% lead that matters for file archiving and database workloads.

The Core i5 also wins all Cinebench tests, both multi-core and single-core, across R15, R20, and R23 versions. Its multi-core lead is consistent at roughly 13% in each version, while its single-core lead is also around 13%. In PassMark multi-threaded tests, the Core i5 scores 8262 versus the Atom's 7119, a 13.8% difference. Integer math, floating-point math, and physics tests all show the Core i5 ahead, though these margins are smaller (1.6%, 4.9%, and 2.7% respectively).

The Atom x7835RE's only victory is in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 5579 versus the Core i5's 2770. This 101.4% advantage is massive and indicates the Atom's architecture is significantly more efficient at this specific cryptographic workload. This is its single clear use-case win.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster for single-threaded applications?

A: The Intel Core i5-10300H is significantly faster. In PassMark single-thread tests, it scores 2537 versus the Atom x7835RE's 1599, a 37% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core results confirm this, with the Core i5 scoring 981 versus the Atom's 854.

Q: Does the Atom x7835RE win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins exactly one benchmark: PassMark data encryption. It scores 5579, which is 101.4% higher than the Core i5-10300H's 2770. This is its only victory in the 17 head-to-head tests.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core performance?

A: The Core i5-10300H leads in multi-core Cinebench tests by roughly 13%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6950 versus the Atom's 6051. In PassMark multi-thread, the Core i5 scores 8262 versus 7119, a 13.8% lead.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Atom x7835RE has a TDP of 12W, while the Core i5-10300H has a TDP of 45W. This is a major difference, indicating the Atom is designed for much lower power environments.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Atom x7835RE has 8 cores, while the Core i5-10300H has 4 cores. Both have 8 threads, meaning the Core i5 uses Hyper-Threading to match the Atom's thread count.

Q: Is there a memory bandwidth difference?

A: Yes, the Core i5-10300H has a dual-channel memory bus providing 46.9 GB/s, while the Atom x7835RE uses a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s. The Core i5 also supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the Atom supports DDR4 and DDR5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single most decisive result in this comparison is the PassMark data compression test. The Core i5-10300H scores 117306, which is 34.6% higher than the Atom's 76736. This is a massive gap that highlights the Core i5's superior per-core performance in real-world data handling. The PassMark single-thread test shows an even larger 37% delta, with the Core i5 scoring 2537 versus the Atom's 1599. This is the largest percentage gap in the Core i5's favor and underscores its advantage in everyday responsiveness.

The encryption benchmark is the standout result for the Atom x7835RE. It scores 5579 versus the Core i5's 2770, a 101.4% advantage. This is the only test where the Atom wins, and it wins by a staggering margin, suggesting a specialized hardware or microarchitecture advantage for cryptographic operations.

Across the Cinebench suite, the Core i5 maintains a consistent lead of approximately 13%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 700 versus the Atom's 609 (a 13% delta). In R20 multi-core, the scores are 2919 versus 2541 (12.9% delta), and in R23 multi-core, 6950 versus 6051 (12.9% delta). The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R15 shows 98 versus 85 (13.3% delta), R20 shows 412 versus 358 (13.1% delta), and R23 shows 981 versus 854 (12.9% delta).

Other PassMark tests show narrower margins. In integer math, the Core i5 scores 27046 versus the Atom's 26623, a slim 1.6% lead. Floating-point math shows a 4.9% lead (17076 versus 16236), and physics shows a 2.7% lead (514 versus 500). The extended instructions test is more decisive, with the Core i5 scoring 7449 versus the Atom's 3617, a 51.4% advantage. Random string sorting also favors the Core i5 by 31.9% (14956 versus 10180), and the find prime numbers test shows a 14.8% lead for the Core i5 (27 versus 23).