Atom C3508 vs Core i7-820QM

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.

Atom C3508 vs Core i7-820QM FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Atom C3508 vs Core i7-820QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Atom C3508

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 11W instead of 45W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i7-820QM

2009

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,819 vs 1,831).
❌Launch MSRP is still $546 MSRP, while Atom C3508 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌300% higher power demand at 45W vs 11.25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3508 better than Core i7-820QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-820QM is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom C3508 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom C3508 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Atom C3508 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom C3508 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $546 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-820QM only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Atom C3508 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3508 vs Core i7-820QM Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

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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

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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 Atom C3508 supports 40% 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 GB — 3100% 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+40%	1333
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+3100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%