CPU Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons overall?

A: The Intel Atom x7835RE wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-3770 wins 6. Despite this, the Core i7-3770 holds a slightly better percentile ranking at 66 versus the Atom's 65.

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

A: The Atom x7835RE leads in every Cinebench multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6051 against the i7-3770's 5450, a 9.9% advantage. The same approximate 9.9% delta appears in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded PassMark tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770 is significantly faster in PassMark single-thread testing, scoring 2073 versus the Atom's 1599. That represents a 29.6% lead for the older desktop chip.

Q: Is there a workload where the i7-3770 wins by a large margin?

A: Yes, in PassMark random string sorting, the i7-3770 scores 14060 against the Atom's 10180, a 38.1% advantage. It also leads data compression by 37.4%, scoring 105424 versus 76736.

Q: What about encryption workloads?

A: The Atom x7835RE dominates data encryption, scoring 5579 versus the i7-3770's 1866. This is a 66.6% lead, the largest single-benchmark margin between the two processors.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations of each chip?

A: The i7-3770 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Atom x7835RE has 8 cores and 8 threads. Despite having twice the core count, the Atom does not use simultaneous multithreading.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3770 asserts dominance in classic desktop-oriented and legacy-single-thread workloads. Its PassMark single-thread score of 2073 versus 1599 for the Atom (29.6% ahead) indicates that software relying on one or two high-frequency cores will favor the Ivy Bridge part. Similarly, the i7-3770 wins in random string sorting (14060 vs 10180, 38.1% ahead) and data compression (105424 vs 76736, 37.4% ahead), suggesting that workloads with heavy memory pointer-chasing or sequential compression benefit from its older but higher-clocked architecture. The i7-3770 also edges out the Atom in extended instructions (4476 vs 3617, 23.7% ahead) and prime number finding (29 vs 23, 26.1% ahead), reinforcing its strength in scalar integer and branch-heavy code.

The Intel Atom x7835RE takes the lead in modern multi-threaded and vector-heavy environments. It wins all three Cinebench generations (R15, R20, R23) in both single-core and multi-core tests, with deltas ranging from 8.4% to 10.1%. The Atom's floating-point math score of 16236 versus 11628 (28.4% ahead) and integer math score of 26623 versus 22945 (13.8% ahead) show that its Gracemont cores handle arithmetic throughput efficiently. The Atom also wins PassMark multithread (7119 vs 6414, 9.9% ahead), physics (500 vs 458, 8.4% ahead), and data encryption (5579 vs 1866, 66.6% ahead), the latter being the most lopsided result in the entire comparison. For users running parallel rendering, encryption, or math-heavy calculations, the Atom x7835RE is the clear winner.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3770 is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It belongs to the Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) generation and features 4 cores with Hyper-Threading, yielding 8 threads. Its cache layout includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1155 and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Its integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000, and the processor is marked as end-of-life production status.

The Intel Atom x7835RE, by contrast, is based on the Amston Lake architecture with Gracemont cores. It is fabricated on a 10 nm process node, making for a smaller transistor geometry. The Atom has 8 cores and 8 threads, no Hyper-Threading, with 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per module, and 6 MB shared L3. It uses Intel BGA 1264 socket and supports single-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory, with a higher bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Its integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 32EU, and the chip remains in active production. Notably, the Atom lacks the transistor count and die size data that the i7-3770 provides, reflecting its different positioning as a low-power mobile part.

The architectural shift is stark: Ivy Bridge is a high-frequency desktop design from 2012, while Amston Lake is a modern efficient-core design aimed at mobile and embedded scenarios. The Atom's 10 nm node versus the i7-3770's 22 nm node explains part of its efficiency advantage, though the i7-3770 compensates with a much higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 1.30 GHz. The boost clocks are closer (3.90 GHz vs 3.60 GHz), but the i7-3770 still has the edge in peak frequency.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3770 | Intel Atom x7835RE |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 1.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 12 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 10 nm |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 9 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | UHD Graphics 32EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $278 | $127 |

The specification table reveals a fundamental trade-off. The i7-3770 offers more than double the base clock speed, but the Atom counters with more cores, a smaller process node, and a dramatically lower TDP of 12 W versus 77 W. The Atom also supports newer memory types (DDR4/DDR5) and has 50% higher memory bandwidth despite being single-channel. The i7-3770 retains a wider PCIe lane allocation (16 versus 9) and a larger L3 cache (8 MB versus 6 MB).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data tells a consistent story across Cinebench: the Atom x7835RE wins every single test, but by a narrow margin. In Cinebench R15, the Atom scores 609 vs 549 in multi-core (9.9% ahead) and 85 vs 77 in single-core (9.4% ahead). Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern: 2541 vs 2289 multi-core (9.9% ahead) and 358 vs 322 single-core (10.1% ahead). Cinebench R23 continues the trend with 6051 vs 5450 multi-core (9.9% ahead) and 854 vs 769 single-core (10% ahead). These consistent 9-10% margins suggest a uniform architectural advantage for the Atom's Gracemont cores in rendering-style workloads, regardless of thread count.

The PassMark suite offers more varied results. The i7-3770's wins are decisive: data compression (105424 vs 76736, 37.4% ahead), random string sorting (14060 vs 10180, 38.1% ahead), single-thread (2073 vs 1599, 29.6% ahead), extended instructions (4476 vs 3617, 23.7% ahead), and prime numbers (29 vs 23, 26.1% ahead). These are substantial margins that indicate the i7-3770's high clock speed and legacy-friendly design still matter for certain algorithms.

The Atom's PassMark wins are equally emphatic. Data encryption (5579 vs 1866, 66.6% ahead) is the standout, showing a massive advantage in cryptographic workloads. Floating-point math (16236 vs 11628, 28.4% ahead) and integer math (26623 vs 22945, 13.8% ahead) show the Atom's arithmetic throughput. The Atom also wins multithread (7119 vs 6414, 9.9% ahead) and physics (500 vs 458, 8.4% ahead), though by smaller margins.

Overall, the Atom x7835RE wins 11 benchmarks to the i7-3770's 6. However, the i7-3770's wins are concentrated in areas where it leads by 24-38%, while the Atom's wins range from 8-67%. The average benchmark score reflects this: the i7-3770 averages 9706, while the Atom averages 9430, a 2.9% difference in favor of the older chip.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a nuanced picture. The Intel Atom x7835RE wins more individual tests (11 vs 6) and dominates in modern multi-threaded workloads, encryption, and math-heavy calculations. Its Cinebench performance across all three versions is consistently 9-10% better, and its data encryption lead of 66.6% is the largest gap in the entire comparison. For users running parallel rendering, cryptographic tasks, or floating-point-heavy simulations, the Atom x7835RE is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i7-3770, however, still holds its own in specific scenarios. Its 29.6% lead in PassMark single-thread performance and 37-38% leads in data compression and random string sorting indicate that legacy single-threaded applications and certain data-processing algorithms will run noticeably better on the Ivy Bridge chip. The i7-3770 also has a higher average benchmark score (9706 vs 9430) and a slightly better percentile ranking (66 vs 65), suggesting that its overall versatility remains competitive.

The architectural divide is decisive for other considerations. The Atom x7835RE operates at a 12 W TDP versus 77 W for the i7-3770, making it far more suitable for mobile and embedded deployments. The i7-3770 is end-of-life, while the Atom is active and supports newer DDR4/DDR5 memory with higher bandwidth. The i7-3770's dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe lanes may benefit certain desktop workloads, but the Atom's lower power draw and modern platform support weigh heavily in its favor.

Ultimately, the choice depends on workload profile. If the priority is single-threaded legacy performance, data compression, or random sorting, the i7-3770 delivers decisive wins. If the priority is multi-threaded rendering, encryption, math throughput, or power efficiency, the Atom x7835RE is the superior processor. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports a context-dependent recommendation.