Atom C3508 vs Core i7-820QM

Atom C3508

4 Cores4 Thrd11.25 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2017

Core i7-820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.06 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Atom C3508

4 / 4

1,831

+0.7%

Atom x5-Z8330

Core i3-3217U

Core 2 Duo T5270

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

1,819

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Atom C3508 is positioned at rank 409 and the Core i7-820QM is on rank 1231, so the Atom C3508 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Atom C3508

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

5675%

Xeon W-11955M

MSRP: $623|Avg: $450

95%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1072%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

952%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

735%

#274

EPYC 7313

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $764

98%

#275

Xeon w5-2455X

MSRP: $1039|Avg: $1049

98%

#276

Xeon w3-2425

MSRP: $529|Avg: $529

97%

#278

Xeon Gold 5416S

MSRP: $1445|Avg: N/A

96%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

MSRP: $1149|Avg: $1130

95%

#409

Atom C3508

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#416

Xeon E3-1276 v3

MSRP: $213|Avg: $244

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-820QM

#1219

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

8811%

#1220

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

8682%

#1221

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

7970%

#1222

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

7934%

#1223

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

7861%

#1225

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

7592%

#1226

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

7279%

#1227

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

7267%

#1228

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

7072%

#1231

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

100%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

84%

#1235

Pentium SU4100

MSRP: $289|Avg: $15

71%

#1236

Core Solo T1400

MSRP: $200|Avg: $5

64%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

62%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

61%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

55%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

51%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom C3508 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4: 1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Atom C3508	Core i7-820QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($546)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Goldmont (2016−2017) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-820QM (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Atom C3508	Core i7-820QM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($546)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Atom C3508 Benchmark Check

Core i7-820QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom C3508 and Core i7-820QM

Atom C3508

The Atom C3508 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,831 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-820QM

The Core i7-820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.

⚡

Processing Power

The Atom C3508 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-820QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Atom C3508 versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM — a 62.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-820QM (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Atom C3508 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-820QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3508 scores 1,831 against the Core i7-820QM's 1,819 — a 0.7% lead for the Atom C3508. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Atom C3508 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM.

Feature	Atom C3508	Core i7-820QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	3.06 GHz+91%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.73 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	8 MB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,831	1,819

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom C3508 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the Atom C3508 versus 1333 on the Core i7-820QM — the Core i7-820QM supports 198.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3508 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3508) vs 16 (Core i7-820QM) — the Core i7-820QM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3508) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-820QM).

Feature	Atom C3508	Core i7-820QM
Socket	FCBGA1310	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	1333+33225%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+3355443100%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%