Intel Atom E3815

Intel Atom E3815 is a single-core Silvermont-based processor from Intel's Bay Trail-I family, built on a 22 nm process and aimed at the mobile segment. It operates at a base clock of 1467 MHz with no boost capability, and its 5 W TDP classifies it as an ultra-low-power part. Its benchmark profile is minimal, with no recorded scores in the database, yet it holds a 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs, which places it at the median position in the distribution. This score, however, reflects its inclusion in the dataset rather than any meaningful performance achievement, as the average benchmark score is zero. The absence of rival data and comparative benchmarks means its standing is defined by architectural traits rather than measured outcomes.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Atom E3815 presents a unique case in the benchmark database: it has no recorded benchmark scores, a zero average score, and an empty nearestRivals list. This absence of quantitative data is itself informative. The 50th percentile ranking is a statistical artifact of its position in the dataset, not a reflection of competitive performance. For context, a processor with no scores typically indicates either a niche product that was not widely tested or a part so constrained that standard benchmark suites yield negligible results. The single-core, single-thread configuration at 1467 MHz, paired with 64 KB of L1 cache and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, suggests a design optimized for power efficiency rather than throughput. In the absence of direct scores, the hardware specification becomes the primary evidence: a single Silvermont core with no turbo boost will inherently lag behind any modern multi-core part in both single- and multi-threaded workloads. The 22 nm process node and 5 W TDP further indicate that this chip prioritizes thermal and energy constraints over raw computational output.

How It Compares

Without nearestRivals data, formal comparisons are unavailable, but the architectural position can be inferred from the fact pack. The Atom E3815 sits in the Bay Trail-I generation, which was designed for entry-level tablets, small form-factor devices, and embedded systems. Its single core and single thread are the minimum possible configuration, making it strictly inferior to any dual-core or quad-core Atom variant from the same family, though those specifics are not listed here. The 1467 MHz base clock, without boost, is lower than typical mobile processors from its era, but the 5 W TDP is a defining trait—this is a fanless, passively cooled design point. Against a generic modern low-power processor, the E3815 would show a substantial deficit in multi-core tasks due to its single thread, and even in single-threaded work, the lack of boost and older Silvermont architecture would place it at the bottom of any ranking. The 50th percentile ranking is misleading; it suggests mediocrity, but the zero benchmark score implies the chip either fails to complete standard tests or produces results too low to register, effectively placing it in the lowest performance tier.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Atom E3815 is a single-core, single-thread processor, so the distinction between single-thread and multi-thread behavior is trivial: there is no multi-thread capability. This has profound implications for real-world workloads. Any application that can utilize multiple threads will run on this chip with only one logical processor active, meaning performance scales linearly with the single core's capability. The 1467 MHz clock, without a boost clock, is the sole determinant of execution speed. Silvermont architecture, while efficient for its time, lacks the out-of-order execution depth and branch prediction sophistication of Intel's larger cores, such as those in the Core series. Benchmark results would show a single-thread score that is a fraction of any modern desktop or even mobile processor, and multi-thread scores would be identical to single-thread scores, as there are no additional threads to leverage. For workloads like web browsing with multiple tabs, video playback, or office document editing, the processor can handle basic tasks but will struggle with any concurrent processing. The L1 cache of 64 KB and L2 cache of 512 KB are sufficient for a single core but limit data reuse in streaming workloads. In practice, the E3815 behaves like an embedded controller rather than a general-purpose computing device, suitable for fixed-function tasks such as industrial control or simple point-of-sale systems where multi-threading is irrelevant.

Who Should Consider It

Given its specifications, the Atom E3815 is appropriate only for scenarios where power consumption and thermal output are paramount, and performance is a secondary concern. The 5 W TDP means it can be cooled by a passive heatsink or a very small fan, making it ideal for fanless industrial PCs, thin client terminals, or embedded systems in constrained enclosures. For office productivity, the single core at 1467 MHz will handle word processing and spreadsheet entry with acceptable latency for single-threaded operations, but any modern office suite with background processes will cause noticeable slowdowns. Gaming is not a viable use case; the integrated HD Graphics, with no dedicated VRAM, would struggle with even casual titles, and the single core would bottleneck any game's main thread. Creation workloads, such as video editing or 3D rendering, are out of the question due to the lack of multi-threading and low clock speed. The processor's market segment is explicitly "Mobile," but its release date of October 2013 places it in an era where even budget phones had dual-core processors. Therefore, the intended audience is system integrators building low-power appliances—network-attached storage, router appliances, or simple IoT gateways—where the processor's 22 nm process and 5 W TDP provide a reliable, long-life solution with minimal cooling requirements. The 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 caches are adequate for these embedded tasks, which typically involve small code footprints and infrequent context switches.

Power and Thermals

The Atom E3815 has a TDP of 5 W, which is exceptionally low and defines its entire thermal profile. This TDP class means that no active cooling is required; a simple aluminum heatsink or even a thermal pad attached to a chassis is sufficient to dissipate the heat generated under load. The 22 nm process node from Intel contributes to this efficiency, reducing leakage currents and allowing the 1467 MHz clock to operate within this power envelope. The lack of a boost clock is a direct consequence of the TDP constraint—Intel chose to cap the frequency to maintain the 5 W limit rather than allow transient power spikes. In a passively cooled system, sustained operation at full load will not cause thermal throttling, as the chip's power draw is low enough to be managed by the surrounding enclosure. However, the integrated HD Graphics also share this power budget, so any graphical workload will increase the total power draw, potentially pushing the chip toward its thermal limit in a poorly ventilated case. For cooling, a basic passive solution is adequate, but a small low-profile fan can provide headroom for higher ambient temperatures or more demanding sustained workloads. The BGA 1170 socket is a soldered package, meaning the processor is not upgradeable and must be paired with a motherboard that includes it, which is typical for embedded designs. The 5 W TDP also allows for battery-powered operation in portable devices, but the single-core performance limits the device's utility. In summary, the Atom E3815 is a thermal success story—it delivers predictable, low heat output that simplifies system design—but this comes at the cost of any meaningful performance ambition, making it a part for specific, power-sensitive niches rather than general computing.