Intel Atom E3827

Intel Atom E3827 is a dual-core, dual-thread Silvermont-based mobile processor aimed at low-power embedded and entry-level computing. With a 50th percentile standing among all CPUs in the benchmark database, it sits exactly at the median—neither a standout nor a laggard. Its 8W TDP class and 22nm process define its character: efficiency first, performance as a secondary concern. For anyone evaluating this chip, the core question is whether two threads at 1750.00 MHz can handle the intended workload, and the data suggests a narrow but real use case.

Who Should Consider It

The Intel Atom E3827 targets workloads where power draw and thermal output matter more than raw compute. Benchmark results place it in the middle of the pack (50th percentile), meaning it will not impress in heavy multitasking or demanding applications, but it is far from the bottom of the barrel. For basic office tasks—word processing, spreadsheets, web browsing with a few tabs—the dual cores at 1750.00 MHz provide adequate responsiveness, though users should expect occasional stalls when multiple background processes compete for attention.

Gaming is not a realistic scenario for this processor. The integrated HD Graphics solution is present, but the lack of a boost clock and the modest core count mean frame rates in even lightweight titles will likely be low. The data shows no benchmark scores for this chip, which reinforces its positioning away from performance-sensitive markets. Instead, the E3827 shines in fanless or passively cooled embedded systems—digital signage, thin clients, point-of-sale terminals—where its 8W TDP is a feature, not a limitation.

Creation workloads, such as photo editing or video transcoding, are similarly out of scope. Two threads without simultaneous multithreading will struggle with multi-threaded render pipelines. The 512 KB L2 cache per core helps with small, repeated tasks, but the absence of an L3 cache limits burst performance in larger datasets. For users who need a low-power always-on device for light automation, file serving, or lightweight web hosting, the E3827 is a reasonable fit. For anyone expecting snappy desktop performance, look elsewhere.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The E3827’s configuration—2 cores, 2 threads, no boost clock—means single-thread performance is the only performance lever, and it is fixed at 1750.00 MHz. In single-threaded workloads, the Silvermont architecture’s efficiency per clock is modest compared to newer designs, but the consistent frequency avoids the variability that turbo-boost behavior introduces in other chips. The data shows no boost clock, so sustained load will not see any transient spikes; what you set is what you get.

Multi-threaded behavior is straightforward: two threads share the workload, but without hyper-threading, each thread gets a dedicated core. This avoids the contention seen in some sibling parts, but the ceiling is low. Realistically, the E3827 handles two simultaneous tasks well—say, a download and a text editor—but adding a third or fourth thread forces context switching, which the 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 caches per core can only partially mitigate. The lack of an L3 cache means inter-core communication relies on the memory controller, and with DDR3 support (no ECC), memory latency becomes a bottleneck in multi-threaded scenarios.

For real workloads, this split means the E3827 is best suited to single-threaded, low-frequency tasks: polling sensors, updating logs, serving simple HTTP requests. Multi-threaded applications will see near-linear scaling up to two threads, then rapid degradation. The 50th percentile ranking reflects this balanced but unremarkable profile—it does nothing exceptionally well, but it does the basics without drama.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for the Intel Atom E3827, so direct head-to-head comparisons are unavailable from the data. This absence is telling: the chip occupies a niche where few competing parts are tracked in the same benchmark database, likely due to its embedded focus. Without rival scores or deltaPct values, any comparative analysis must rely on the absolute metrics provided—cores, threads, clocks, and cache—rather than percentage deltas.

Given the 50th percentile placement, the E3827 sits equidistant from the fastest and slowest CPUs in the database. This is a statistical midpoint, not a performance endorsement. In practical terms, users upgrading from a single-core low-power chip will notice the dual-core improvement, while those coming from a modern quad-core will see a significant regression. The data simply does not support a more granular comparison, so buyers should weigh the E3827’s efficiency against its absolute limits.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Atom E3827 support ECC memory?

A: No, the FACT PACK lists ECC memory support as false, so it is not suited for mission-critical error-correcting workloads.

Q: What is the maximum boost clock speed?

A: The FACT PACK lists no boost clock; the processor runs at a fixed base clock of 1750.00 MHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does the E3827 have?

A: The FACT PACK shows no L3 cache (null value), meaning the chip relies entirely on per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (512 KB) caches.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked (multiplierUnlocked is false), so frequency adjustments are not possible.

Q: What integrated graphics does this processor include?

A: The FACT PACK lists HD Graphics as the integrated GPU, suitable for basic display output but not demanding 3D rendering.

Q: When was this processor released?

A: The release date is listed as 2013-10-07, placing it in the early Bay Trail-I generation.

Power and Thermals

The E3827 carries a TDP of 8 watts, which places it in the ultra-low-power class. This figure is the key design constraint: it enables fanless operation in compact enclosures, but it also caps sustained performance. The 22nm manufacturing process from Intel helps keep leakage low, but the Silvermont architecture was designed for efficiency over speed, so the 8W budget is spent conservatively across the two cores and integrated HD Graphics.

Thermally, the data implies that a simple passive heatsink or a small, low-speed fan is sufficient. No cooling solution is specified in the FACT PACK, but the 8W rating means even a basic aluminum fin stack will handle the heat output. Users should note that without a boost clock, there are no thermal spikes—the chip draws a steady power level under full load, which simplifies thermal design. The 50th percentile ranking does not correlate with thermal behavior, but the low TDP is the primary selling point for embedded system integrators.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Atom E3827 uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable interface. This means the processor is permanently attached to the motherboard, and there is no upgrade path to a faster chip without replacing the entire board. The socket choice is typical for low-power embedded parts, prioritizing compactness and reliability over user serviceability.

Memory support is limited to DDR3, with no ECC option. The FACT PACK does not specify memory bus width or bandwidth, so users should assume standard dual-channel DDR3L (low-voltage) is the intended configuration, though the data does not confirm this. PCIe support is not listed, so expansion capabilities are unknown from the database; however, the lack of a dedicated PCIe field suggests minimal or no discrete GPU support. The integrated HD Graphics handles display output, and the platform is designed for fixed-function embedded roles rather than user expansion. The production status is listed as active, so the chip remains in the market despite its 2013 release, but the BGA 1170 socket effectively locks the system into its original configuration.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK shows zero benchmark scores for the Intel Atom E3827, and the nearestRivals array is empty. The avgBenchmarkScore is 0, and the percentileVsAllCpus is 50. This combination means the chip’s absolute performance is unquantified in the database, but its relative standing is exactly average. The 50th percentile is a statistical anchor: half of all CPUs rank below it, half above, but without a numeric score, the gap to either side is unknown.

In the absence of direct benchmark data, the specifications must carry the analysis. Two cores at 1750.00 MHz with no boost, 512 KB L2 per core, and no L3 cache suggest a processor that excels only in latency-tolerant, single-threaded tasks. The 8W TDP confirms that performance is secondary to power efficiency. Compared to hypothetical rivals, the E3827 would likely trail any modern dual-core with a boost clock by a wide margin, but it would also consume a fraction of the power. The 50th percentile ranking, however, is not a performance score—it is a distribution position that could shift if more embedded processors were added to the database.

The lack of benchmark scores and rivals makes precise percentage comparisons impossible. What the data does show is a processor built for a specific niche: low-power, always-on, light-duty computing. Its 22nm process and 8W TDP are the standout specs, while the clock speed and cache layout are adequate for its intended role. For anyone needing raw numbers, the database offers none—only the structural facts of a chip that prioritizes endurance over speed.