Intel Atom x7-E3950

The Intel Atom x7-E3950 is a 14nm Goldmont architecture processor from the Apollo Lake generation, designed for the mobile segment. It integrates 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 1600.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2000.00 MHz, all within a 12W TDP. Its average benchmark score of 606 places it at the 14th percentile of all CPUs, signaling a deliberate trade-off between power efficiency and raw compute capability.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench results offer a clear view of this chip's positioning. In Cinebench R15, the multicore score is 177, a modest figure that reflects its 4-thread ceiling. Moving to the more demanding Cinebench R20, the multicore score rises to 739, while the single-core score is 104. The R23 iteration shows a multicore score of 1760 and a single-core score of 248. These numbers confirm that the processor sits firmly in the entry-level tier.

The average benchmark score of 606 places the Atom x7-E3950 at the 14th percentile, meaning it outperforms only 14% of all CPUs in the database. This is a low ranking, but the consistency across rival comparisons is notable. The AMD Phenom II X4 830 posts an identical average score of 606, resulting in a deltaPct of 0. The Intel Core i5-2430M also matches this exactly, with a 0% delta. The Intel Core i7-610E and Intel Celeron 4305UE are effectively tied as well, with deltas of 0.1%. The data implies that despite its modern 14nm process and 2014 release date, the raw computational output of this Atom is equivalent to desktop and mobile parts from a much older era.

Who Should Consider It

Given its 4 cores, 4 threads, and low absolute scores, this processor is not suited for demanding computational workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 1760 suggests it can manage basic office productivity, web browsing, and light document editing without strain. The integrated HD Graphics 505 provides display output, but the absence of any high-performance gaming scores in the data indicates it is not intended for gaming. Its market segment is Mobile, and its production status remains Active, which points toward embedded systems, thin clients, or industrial control panels where low power draw is paramount.

Users who need a fanless or battery-sipping device for simple, single-tasking operations would find this tier adequate. Conversely, anyone running video encoding, 3D rendering, or complex data analysis would quickly hit a wall. The 14th percentile ranking is a strong indicator that this is a background-workload or light-interaction chip, not a primary compute engine.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single and multi-thread scores reveals a well-balanced but low-ceiling design. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 104, while the multi-core score is 739. This ratio demonstrates that the 4 physical cores scale effectively when parallelized, as the multi-core score is several times the single-core score. In R23, the single-core score is 248, and the multi-core score is 1760, maintaining a similar scaling pattern.

The boost clock of 2000.00 MHz over a base of 1600.00 MHz provides a noticeable uplift for single-thread bursts, yet the absolute single-core scores remain low. This suggests that the Goldmont architecture prioritizes energy efficiency over raw single-thread throughput. For real workloads, a single-threaded spreadsheet macro will feel sluggish, while a multi-threaded file compression task will utilize all cores effectively, albeit within a low absolute performance envelope. The data indicates that users should favor applications that can leverage all 4 threads to get the most out of this processor.

Platform and Compatibility

The Atom x7-E3950 is soldered to the Intel BGA 1296 socket, which eliminates any traditional upgrade path. Memory support is limited to DDR3, running on a dual-channel bus with a maximum bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. For expansion, it offers PCIe Gen 2 with 4 lanes available from the CPU. The integrated graphics are handled by the HD Graphics 505.

Released on 2014-08-29, this chip is built on Intel's 14nm process and carries the part number SREK9SR33P. Because it is BGA, system designers must plan the entire board around this chip from the start, with no possibility of swapping to a faster processor later. The dual-channel DDR3 support, while dated, provides adequate bandwidth for its 4 cores. The 4 PCIe Gen 2 lanes limit the number of high-speed peripherals that can be attached directly, making it suitable for narrowly defined, fixed-function devices.

How It Compares

AMD Phenom II X4 830: The Atom x7-E3950 and the Phenom II X4 830 are dead even in average benchmark score, both at 606 with a deltaPct of 0. This is striking because the Phenom II is a desktop part from an older generation, yet the Atom matches it exactly in aggregate performance, highlighting how low-power architecture has caught up to old desktop silicon.

Intel Core i5-2430M: The i5-2430M also scores exactly 606, with a 0% delta. This older mobile chip matches the Atom's output precisely. The data shows that the Atom's absolute performance is anchored to the same level as this early mobile Core processor, despite the vast difference in TDP and process technology.

Intel Core i7-610E: The i7-610E posts an average score of 606, giving it a 0.1% delta over the Atom. This is a statistical tie, meaning the Atom trades blows with this embedded i7 in the database's aggregate metric. The negligible delta indicates that in average workloads, there is no meaningful performance difference between them.

Intel Celeron 4305UE: The Celeron 4305UE scores 605, which is 0.1% lower than the Atom's 606. This places the Atom marginally ahead of the modern Celeron in the aggregate, though the difference is so small that it would be imperceptible in real-world use. The data suggests that the Atom remains competitive with newer low-end parts in pure CPU throughput.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Atom x7-E3950?

A: The average benchmark score is 606.

Q: What type of memory does this processor support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Does the Atom x7-E3950 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of this chip?

A: The TDP is 12 watts.

Q: What is the socket type?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1296 socket.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does it provide?

A: It provides 4 lanes of PCIe Gen 2 from the CPU.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is rated at 12 watts. This is an ultra-low-power design, squarely aimed at fanless or passively cooled mobile and embedded systems. The 14nm process node from Intel helps achieve this efficiency. A 12W TDP means a simple heatsink or the device chassis itself can adequately dissipate the heat generated during operation.

This low thermal envelope is the primary design goal, allowing for compact form factors and extended battery life. The data implies that cooling is not a challenge; instead, performance is deliberately sacrificed to maintain this 12W threshold. The active production status confirms that this low-power profile remains relevant for specific industrial or IoT applications where heat and power draw are the primary constraints, outweighing the need for higher benchmark scores.