Intel Atom x7835RE vs Intel Core i7-8650U Comparison

Intel Atom x7835RE and Intel Core i7-8650U are both mobile processors, but they target completely different workloads. The Atom wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Core i7 takes 5. The data shows a clear split: the Atom dominates heavy multi-threaded and compute-sustained tasks, while the Core i7 excels in single-thread responsiveness and certain memory-latency-sensitive operations. Below is a breakdown of where each chip stands based strictly on recorded measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Atom x7835RE is the decisive winner in all Cinebench tests, both single-core and multi-core. Its R15 multi-core score of 609 beats the Core i7's 529 by 15.1%, and the R20 multi-core gap is similar at 15.2% (2541 vs 2206). The R23 multi-core result shows the same pattern: 6051 versus 5253, a 15.2% lead. Even in single-core Cinebench, the Atom wins by 14.9% in R15 (85 vs 74) and by 15.2% in R23 (854 vs 741). This means the Atom's per-thread performance in rendering workloads is consistently ahead, not just its total throughput.

The Atom also wins in Passmark's integer math (26623 vs 22007, 21% ahead), floating point math (16236 vs 13299, 22.1% ahead), and multithread (7119 vs 6193, 15% ahead). Its data encryption score is the biggest outlier: 5579 versus 2067, a massive 169.9% advantage. For any workload that relies on AES or similar crypto operations, the Atom is in a different league. The Atom also edges out the Core i7 in prime number finding (23 vs 22, 4.5% ahead) and physics (500 vs 472, 5.9% ahead).

The Intel Core i7-8650U wins in three specific areas that point to its architectural maturity. Its single-thread Passmark score of 2103 versus 1599 is a 24% lead, which is substantial. It also wins in extended instructions (5042 vs 3617, 28.3% ahead) and in two memory-latency-sensitive tests: data compression (78936 vs 76736, 2.8% ahead) and random string sorting (10485 vs 10180, 2.9% ahead). These wins suggest the Core i7 has better branch prediction and cache behavior for pointer-chasing and compression workloads, despite having fewer cores.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different Intel design families. The Atom x7835RE uses the Amston Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process, with eight cores and eight threads. Its cores are based on the Gracemont microarchitecture, which is Intel's efficient-core design. The Core i7-8650U is a Kaby Lake-R part, specifically the Kaby Lake-U Refresh generation, built on a 14 nm process. It has four cores and eight threads, using Intel's standard performance-core design from that era.

The cache layouts differ significantly. The Atom has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core i7 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Atom's larger L1 and per-module L2 are designed to feed its Gracemont cores efficiently, while the Core i7's smaller per-core caches are compensated by a larger shared L3.

Memory support also differs. The Atom supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core i7 supports only DDR4, and the database does not list its memory bus or bandwidth. The Atom also has PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7 does not have a recorded PCIe configuration.

The integrated graphics are different: the Atom has UHD Graphics 32EU, while the Core i7 has UHD 620. The process node difference (10 nm vs 14 nm) explains part of the Atom's efficiency, but its TDP is also lower at 12 W versus 15 W for the Core i7. The Core i7 has a higher boost clock, 4.20 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, but its base clock is listed as 1900.00 MHz, which is likely a typo in the source; the Atom's base clock is 1.30 GHz. The Core i7 has a die size of 123 mm², while the Atom's die size is not recorded. Both are socketed differently: the Atom uses Intel BGA 1264, the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1356.

The Verdict

The Intel Atom x7835RE is the better processor for sustained multi-threaded compute. The data shows a consistent 15% advantage across all Cinebench versions and a 15% lead in Passmark multithread. Its encryption performance is nearly 170% faster, which makes it the obvious choice for any data-at-rest or data-in-transit workload. The Atom also wins in integer and floating point math, which are core to scientific, engineering, and financial simulations. Its lower TDP (12 W vs 15 W) and newer 10 nm process are additional practical advantages for fanless or passively cooled designs.

The Intel Core i7-8650U is the better choice only for single-threaded responsiveness and specific instruction-set extensions. Its 24% lead in Passmark single-thread means snappier UI interactions and faster legacy single-threaded applications. It also wins in extended instructions by 28.3%, which may matter for media encoding or certain SIMD-heavy workloads. The compression and string sorting wins are small (under 3%) and unlikely to be decisive in real-world use. For any user who values raw multi-core throughput, crypto performance, or lower power draw, the Atom is the clear winner. For users stuck with legacy single-threaded code, the Core i7 has a narrow but real edge.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Atom x7835RE scores 6051 versus the Core i7-8650U's 5253, a 15.2% lead.

Q: Is the Core i7-8650U better at any single benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins in Passmark single-thread (2103 vs 1599, 24% ahead), extended instructions (5042 vs 3617, 28.3% ahead), data compression (78936 vs 76736, 2.8% ahead), and random string sorting (10485 vs 10180, 2.9% ahead).

Q: How much faster is the Atom in encryption?

A: The Atom's data encryption score is 5579 versus 2067 for the Core i7, which is 169.9% faster.

Q: What is the difference in cores and threads?

A: The Atom has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Atom has a TDP of 12 W, while the Core i7 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: What are the process nodes for each?

A: The Atom uses a 10 nm process, and the Core i7 uses a 14 nm process.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Atom is in data encryption, where it scores 5579 versus 2067, a 169.9% advantage. This is not a marginal difference; it is a complete wipeout. The next largest Atom wins are in floating point math (16236 vs 13299, 22.1% ahead) and integer math (26623 vs 22007, 21% ahead). These two math tests show that the Atom's Gracemont cores are not just efficient, they are also computationally strong when the workload is parallel or math-heavy.

The Atom also wins all six Cinebench tests by roughly 15% each. This consistency is notable: R15 multi-core (609 vs 529, 15.1%), R15 single-core (85 vs 74, 14.9%), R20 multi-core (2541 vs 2206, 15.2%), R20 single-core (358 vs 311, 15.1%), R23 multi-core (6051 vs 5253, 15.2%), and R23 single-core (854 vs 741, 15.2%). The single-core Cinebench wins are particularly interesting because the Core i7 has a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz vs 3.60 GHz), yet the Atom still comes out ahead. This suggests the Gracemont cores have better IPC per clock in this rendering workload.

The Passmark multithread test shows a 15% Atom lead (7119 vs 6193), which aligns with the Cinebench numbers. The physics test is closer, with the Atom ahead by 5.9% (500 vs 472). Prime number finding is nearly a tie, with the Atom at 23 and the Core i7 at 22.

The Core i7's wins are concentrated in single-thread and instruction-heavy tests. The single-thread Passmark score of 2103 versus 1599 is a 24% lead, which is the largest Core i7 win. Extended instructions show a 28.3% lead (5042 vs 3617). The two memory-latency tests, data compression and random string sorting, are both won by the Core i7 by less than 3%, which is within the range of run-to-run variance but still consistent across both tests. The overall win count is 12 for the Atom and 5 for the Core i7, with the Atom winning all compute-heavy and all rendering tests.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Atom x7835RE | Intel Core i7-8650U |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.30 GHz | 1900.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 12 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1356 |

| Architecture | Amston Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Amston Lake | Kaby Lake-R |

| Generation | Atom (Gracemont) | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 123 mm² |

| 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 | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

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

| Release Date | 2024-04-07 | 2017-08-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $127 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRNER | SR3L8 |

The Atom has more cores, a newer process node, lower TDP, and supports newer memory standards. The Core i7 has a higher boost clock, larger L3 cache, and a recorded die size. These differences explain the benchmark split: the Atom's eight Gracemont cores provide raw throughput, while the Core i7's four larger cores with higher clocks provide better single-thread performance.