Intel Atom x7835RE vs Intel Core i5-8365U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Atom x7835RE has 8 cores, while the Intel Core i5-8365U has 4 cores. Both support 8 threads, meaning the Atom relies on physical cores while the Core i5 relies on Hyper-Threading.

Q: What is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Atom x7835RE leads in multi-core tests by roughly 19 to 20%. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Atom scores 6051 versus 5050 for the Core i5, a 19.8% advantage.

Q: Does the Core i5-8365U win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, it wins in single-threaded PassMark tests (2073 versus 1599, a 22.9% lead), extended instructions (5074 versus 3617, a 28.7% lead), and random string sorting (10256 versus 10180, a 0.7% lead).

Q: How do their memory configurations differ?

A: The Atom x7835RE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel memory bus, while the Core i5-8365U supports only DDR4 but uses a dual-channel bus. Both have the same 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Q: What are their production statuses?

A: The Atom x7835RE is Active, while the Core i5-8365U is End-of-life. The Atom was released in 2024, the Core i5 in 2019.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core i5-8365U boosts to 4.10 GHz, while the Atom x7835RE boosts to 3.60 GHz. The Core i5 also has a higher base clock of 1600.00 MHz versus 1.30 GHz for the Atom.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap is substantial. The Atom x7835RE uses the Amston Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, while the Core i5-8365U is built on Whiskey Lake-U using a 14 nm node. This process difference matters: the Atom delivers 8 physical cores at a 12 W TDP, whereas the Core i5 manages 4 cores and 8 threads at a 15 W TDP. The newer node helps explain how the Atom sustains multi-core performance with lower power draw.

Cache layouts also differ. The Atom has 96 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per module, while the Core i5 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 6 MB of L3. The Atom's larger L2 per module suggests a design tuned for bandwidth-heavy parallel tasks, while the Core i5's per-core L2 allocation fits a more traditional mobile layout.

Memory support diverges sharply. The Atom accepts both DDR4 and DDR5, though only on a single-channel bus. The Core i5 is limited to DDR4 but runs dual-channel. Both chips report 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, so the channel difference does not show up in the peak figure, but the Atom's DDR5 support gives it a future-proofing edge. PCIe lanes also differ: the Atom has Gen 3 with 9 lanes, the Core i5 has Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics are another split. The Atom pairs with UHD Graphics 32EU, while the Core i5 uses UHD Graphics 620. Neither is a gaming part, but the UHD 620 is a more established mobile iGPU. The Atom's production status is Active, the Core i5 is End-of-life, and their sockets differ (BGA 1264 versus BGA 1528).

Where Each One Wins

The Atom x7835RE is the clear winner in multi-threaded throughput. It takes 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23, both single and multi-core). The data indicates the Atom is better suited for sustained parallel workloads: integer math, floating point math, prime number finding, physics simulation, data encryption, and multithreaded PassMark all go to the Atom with margins between 18.5% and 178.1%.

The Core i5-8365U wins where single-thread speed and specialized instruction efficiency matter. Its PassMark single-thread score is 2073 versus 1599, a 22.9% advantage. It also leads in extended instructions (5074 versus 3617, a 28.7% lead) and random string sorting (10256 versus 10180, a slim 0.7% margin). These wins suggest the Core i5 handles latency-sensitive, branch-heavy, or AVX-style workloads better. For legacy software that relies on high clock speeds, the Core i5's 4.10 GHz boost is a factor.

The random string sorting result is nearly a tie, which is notable because it is the only benchmark where the two are within 1% of each other. The Core i5 wins, but the margin is small enough that run-to-run variation could flip it.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Atom x7835RE | Intel Core i5-8365U |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base clock | 1.30 GHz | 1600.00 MHz |

| Boost clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 12 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Amston Lake | Whiskey Lake-U |

| 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) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 lanes | Gen 3, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 32EU | UHD Graphics 620 |

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

| Release date | 2024-04-07 | 2019-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $127 | $297 |

| Part number | SRNER | SRF9Z |

The table highlights the core count and clock speed trade-off. The Atom has twice the cores but a lower boost clock. The Core i5 has a higher TDP, a dual-channel memory bus, and more PCIe lanes. Both share the same L3 size and memory bandwidth.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is data encryption. The Atom scores 5579 versus 2006 for the Core i5, a 178.1% advantage. This is not a small lead; it is a dominant one. Encryption workloads often scale with core count and AES-NI throughput, and the Atom's 8 physical cores appear to crush the Core i5's 4-core, 8-thread setup here.

Cinebench results are uniformly in the Atom's favor. R15 multi-core: 609 versus 509 (19.6% lead). R15 single-core: 85 versus 71 (19.7%). R20 multi-core: 2541 versus 2121 (19.8%). R20 single-core: 358 versus 299 (19.7%). R23 multi-core: 6051 versus 5050 (19.8%). R23 single-core: 854 versus 713 (19.8%). The consistency is suspicious in a good way: the Atom wins every Cinebench test by almost exactly the same margin, which suggests its architectural efficiency is uniform across rendering workloads regardless of thread count.

PassMark math tests follow the same pattern. Integer math: 26623 versus 22021 (20.9% lead). Floating point math: 16236 versus 13110 (23.8% lead). Prime numbers: 23 versus 19 (21.1%). Physics: 500 versus 422 (18.5%). Multithread: 7119 versus 5976 (19.1%). The Atom's margins hover between 18.5% and 23.8%, reinforcing its multi-core dominance.

The Core i5's wins are narrower in one case and decisive in others. Extended instructions: 5074 versus 3617, a 28.7% lead for the Core i5. Single-thread PassMark: 2073 versus 1599, a 22.9% lead. Random string sorting: 10256 versus 10180, only 0.7%. The extended instructions gap is the Core i5's largest victory, indicating its execution engine handles advanced instruction sets more efficiently.

Data compression is nearly a tie: 76736 versus 76239, a 0.7% Atom lead. This is the closest multi-core result. The Atom wins, but the margin is negligible.

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers. The Intel Atom x7835RE is the pick for anyone running parallel, multi-threaded workloads. It wins 13 of 17 benchmarks, leads every Cinebench test by nearly 20%, and absolutely dominates encryption with a 178.1% margin. Its 8 physical cores, 10 nm process, and 12 W TDP make it a compelling choice for embedded or mobile systems where sustained throughput matters more than peak single-thread speed. The Atom also supports DDR5, which the Core i5 cannot.

The Intel Core i5-8365U is the pick for single-threaded tasks and legacy software compatibility. It wins PassMark single-thread by 22.9%, extended instructions by 28.7%, and random string sorting by 0.7%. Its 4.10 GHz boost clock and dual-channel memory bus serve workloads that do not scale across cores. However, its End-of-life status and older 14 nm process are disadvantages. The Core i5 also carries a launch MSRP of $297, while the Atom is listed at $127, though pricing is not the focus here.

The average benchmark scores tell a broader story: the Atom averages 9430 across all benchmarks, the Core i5 averages 8708. The Atom sits at the 65th percentile of all CPUs, the Core i5 also at the 65th percentile. Both chips land in the same percentile tier, yet the Atom's average is 8.3% higher. The Atom's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180 (0.3% ahead) and the Intel Core i7-7700HQ (0.7% ahead). The Core i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-13900E (0.4% ahead) and the Intel Core i7-8565U (0.5% ahead). The comparison suggests the Atom punches well above its Atom branding, landing near server-class parts in average score.

For a new system, the Atom x7835RE is the rational choice. It is active, newer by five years, more power-efficient at 12 W versus 15 W, and faster in the majority of measured tests. The Core i5-8365U only makes sense if the workload is explicitly single-threaded or relies on extended instruction sets where its 28.7% lead matters. The recorded data does not support a recommendation for the Core i5 in general-purpose computing; it wins only 4 of 17 tests, and two of those wins are narrow or specialized. The verdict is clear: the Atom is the better all-around processor, the Core i5 is a niche pick for single-thread-centric software.