Atom x5-E3940 vs Core i7-820QM

Atom x5-E3940

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2014

Core i7-820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.06 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Atom x5-E3940

4 / 4

1,816

0.0%

1,819

+0.2%

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 x5-E3940 is positioned at rank 337 and the Core i7-820QM is on rank 1231, so the Atom x5-E3940 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 x5-E3940

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

97%

#325

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

485%

#326

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

478%

#327

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

438%

#328

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

436%

#329

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

432%

#331

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

418%

#332

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

400%

#333

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

400%

#334

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

389%

#337

Atom x5-E3940

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-820QM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Atom x5-E3940 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Atom x5-E3940	Core i7-820QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($546)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Apollo Lake (2014−2016) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Atom x5-E3940	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 x5-E3940 Benchmark Check

Core i7-820QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom x5-E3940 and Core i7-820QM

Atom x5-E3940

The Atom x5-E3940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 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 x5-E3940 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-820QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM — a 51.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-820QM (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Atom x5-E3940 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-820QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E3940 scores 1,816 against the Core i7-820QM's 1,819 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-820QM. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E3940 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM.

Feature	Atom x5-E3940	Core i7-820QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	3.06 GHz+70%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.73 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,816	1,819

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-E3940 uses the FCBGA1296 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 DDR3L-1866 on the Atom x5-E3940 versus 1333 on the Core i7-820QM — the Core i7-820QM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 6 (Atom x5-E3940) vs 16 (Core i7-820QM) — the Core i7-820QM offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1296 (Atom x5-E3940) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-820QM).

Feature	Atom x5-E3940	Core i7-820QM
Socket	FCBGA1296	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1866	1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+104857500%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	6	16+167%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E3940) / true (Core i7-820QM). The Atom x5-E3940 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Core i7-820QM requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-820QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.