Intel Atom Z3740

The Intel Atom Z3740 is a quad-core mobile processor from Intel's Bay Trail-T generation, built on the Silvermont architecture and manufactured on a 22 nm process at Intel's foundry. Released on September 26, 2013, this part carries a 2W TDP and is now listed as end-of-life. The Z3740 provides four threads across four cores, with a base clock of 1333 MHz and a boost clock of 1867 MHz. It integrates HD Graphics and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a peak bandwidth of 17.1 GB/s.

Who Should Consider It

The Z3740 is squarely aimed at the mobile segment, and its specifications reflect that positioning. With four physical cores and four threads, it offers parallel processing capability that was notable for the ultra-low-power class at its release. The 2W TDP is the defining characteristic: this processor draws very little power, which makes it suitable for small, lightweight devices where battery life and heat dissipation are primary concerns.

The 1333 MHz base clock and 1867 MHz boost clock indicate that the processor can ramp up when needed but settles at a modest pace for sustained workloads. The boost clock being substantially higher than the base clock suggests that short bursts of activity — such as launching an application or rendering a web page — can be handled at higher speed, while sustained tasks settle back to the base rate. This clock behavior is typical of a processor designed to maximize responsiveness within a strict power budget.

For basic productivity tasks such as document editing, web browsing, and media playback, the combination of four cores and integrated HD Graphics provides a baseline level of capability. The integrated GPU handles display output and basic graphical workloads without requiring a discrete graphics card, which is consistent with the mobile, low-power positioning. The 2W TDP means the entire platform can be designed around passive cooling, enabling thinner and quieter devices.

The dual-channel DDR3 memory interface at 17.1 GB/s provides adequate memory throughput for the four cores. This is not a processor designed for heavy computational lifting — the data indicates a device aimed at lightweight, portable use cases where the 2W TDP and compact BGA 1380 package take priority over raw performance. Users who need sustained multi-core performance for rendering, compilation, or simulation would be better served by a higher-power part; the Z3740's data points to a different design goal.

Power and Thermals

The 2W TDP is the standout specification of the Z3740. This is an extremely low thermal envelope, which has direct implications for system design. A processor in this class does not require aggressive cooling solutions; the data suggests that passive cooling — a simple heat spreader or even the device chassis itself — is sufficient to manage the thermal output. The 22 nm manufacturing process is a key contributor to this low power draw. Intel's 22 nm node, combined with the Silvermont architecture, allows the four cores to operate at up to 1867 MHz while staying within the 2W envelope. The die size of 100 mm² is modest, reflecting the relatively simple four-core configuration without large shared caches or an extensive GPU block.

The base clock of 1333 MHz represents the sustained operating point under load, while the 1867 MHz boost clock is available for shorter bursts. This clock behavior, coupled with the 2W TDP, means the processor can deliver a brief performance spike without exceeding its thermal budget, then settle back to a lower sustained rate. For system integrators, the 2W TDP removes the need for a cooling fan. This enables thinner, quieter, and more power-efficient device designs. The trade-off is that sustained heavy workloads will not maintain the boost clock indefinitely; the processor will operate closer to its base clock under continuous load.

The 22 nm process node and 100 mm² die size together indicate a conservative transistor budget. The absence of a large L3 cache — the data lists no L3 cache — and the relatively small 2 MB L2 cache further reinforce the efficiency-first design. Every component of the Z3740 is optimized for the 2W envelope.

Benchmark Performance

The database records an average benchmark score of 0 for the Z3740, placing it at the 50th percentile of all CPUs tracked. The 50th percentile position indicates that, within the database's historical CPU population, this processor sits at the median. However, the benchmark score of 0 requires careful interpretation: it reflects the absence of recorded performance data for this part, rather than a literal performance measurement of zero. The benchmarks array in the database is empty, which supports this reading.

The 4-core, 4-thread configuration with a 2 MB L2 cache and 56 KB L1 cache per core defines the computational resources available. The L2 cache of 2 MB is shared across the four cores, providing a modest working set for active data. The per-core L1 cache of 56 KB is small, which is typical for the efficiency-focused design of the Silvermont architecture. Clock speeds of 1333 MHz base and 1867 MHz boost, combined with the dual-channel DDR3 memory interface at 17.1 GB/s, establish the memory bandwidth available to the cores. For integer-heavy workloads that fit within the cache hierarchy, the processor can operate at its boost clock; for memory-bound tasks, the 17.1 GB/s bandwidth becomes the limiting factor.

Without recorded benchmark scores or nearest-rival comparisons in the database, the performance assessment rests on the architectural specifications. The data shows a processor that is deliberately balanced: four cores provide parallelism, the 2 MB L2 cache provides a working set, and the 17.1 GB/s memory bandwidth keeps the cores fed. The 50th percentile ranking, even as a placeholder, situates the Z3740 in the middle of the historical CPU population rather than at the extremes.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field for the Z3740 is empty in the database, meaning no direct comparative benchmark data is available. This absence of rival comparisons limits the ability to position the Z3740 against specific competing processors using measured scores. What the data does show is a 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs in the database. This places the Z3740 at the midpoint of the historical CPU population, though the benchmark score of 0 suggests that this ranking should be treated as a placeholder rather than a precise performance measurement.

In the absence of rival data, the comparison must be drawn from the specification sheet. The 2W TDP, 4-core/4-thread layout, 1333 MHz base clock, and 1867 MHz boost clock define a processor that prioritizes efficiency over peak performance. The 22 nm process and 100 mm² die size indicate a modest transistor budget focused on low-power operation. The production status of end-of-life and the September 2013 release date place the Z3740 in a historical context. It belongs to the Bay Trail-T generation, which targeted tablets and hybrid devices. The BGA 1380 socket and soldered package mean that this processor was never intended for desktop upgrades or user replacement. Its competitive positioning is best understood as an ultra-low-power part for a specific mobile form factor, rather than a general-purpose desktop or server processor.

Platform and Compatibility

The Z3740 uses the Intel BGA 1380 socket. BGA packages are soldered directly to the motherboard, which means the processor is not user-serviceable or upgradeable. This is consistent with its mobile-segment positioning in ultra-portable devices. Memory support is limited to DDR3, running on a dual-channel interface with a peak bandwidth of 17.1 GB/s. The memory controller does not support ECC, which is typical for a consumer mobile processor. The dual-channel configuration provides adequate bandwidth for the four cores and integrated HD Graphics.

The integrated HD Graphics handles display output and basic graphical workloads. No discrete GPU support is indicated in the data, and the PCIe specification is not listed, so expansion capabilities are limited to what the platform provides through the BGA 1380 package. The processor is not multiplier-unlocked, meaning the clock multiplier is fixed and cannot be adjusted for overclocking. This reinforces the locked, efficiency-oriented design. The part number SR1M5 identifies this specific SKU.

The production status is end-of-life, with a release date of September 26, 2013. This means the Z3740 is no longer in active production and is not available for new designs. The 22 nm process node and Silvermont architecture represent the technological foundation of this generation. The absence of a listed PCIe specification and the lack of an L3 cache further define the platform's scope: this is a self-contained mobile processor with integrated memory controller, integrated graphics, and a fixed feature set.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Atom Z3740?

A: The Z3740 has a TDP of 2W, placing it in the ultra-low-power class suitable for passively cooled mobile devices.

Q: How many cores and threads does the Z3740 have?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 1333 MHz and a boost clock of 1867 MHz.

Q: What memory does the Z3740 support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel interface with a peak bandwidth of 17.1 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What socket does the Z3740 use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1380 socket, which is a soldered package not intended for user replacement.

Q: What is the production status of the Z3740?

A: The processor is end-of-life, with a release date of September 26, 2013.

Q: Does the Z3740 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes integrated HD Graphics for display output and basic graphical workloads.