Atom x7-E3950
VS
Core i7-2677M

Atom x7-E3950 vs Core i7-2677M

Intel

Atom x7-E3950

4 Cores4 Thrd12 WWMax: 2 GHz2016
VS
Intel

Core i7-2677M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 x7-E3950 is positioned at rank 480 and the Core i7-2677M is on rank 227, so the Core i7-2677M 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 x7-E3950

#153
Core i7-1370P
MSRP: $438|Avg: $280
98%
#467
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
630%
#468
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
620%
#469
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
570%
#470
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
567%
#471
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
562%
#473
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
542%
#474
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
520%
#475
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
519%
#476
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
505%
#480
Atom x7-E3950
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#487
Processor U300
MSRP: $193|Avg: $180
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2677M

#214
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
391%
#215
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
385%
#216
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
354%
#217
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
352%
#218
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
349%
#220
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
337%
#221
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
323%
#222
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
323%
#223
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
314%
#227
Core i7-2677M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-2677M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Atom x7-E3950 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightAtom x7-E3950Core i7-2677M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Apollo Lake (2014−2016) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightAtom x7-E3950Core i7-2677M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom x7-E3950 and Core i7-2677M

Intel

Atom x7-E3950

The Atom x7-E3950 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 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 12 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,864 points. Launch price was $57.

Intel

Core i7-2677M

The Core i7-2677M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,875 points. Launch price was $317.

Processing Power

The Atom x7-E3950 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2677M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x7-E3950 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom x7-E3950 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2677M — a 36.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-2677M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Atom x7-E3950 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2677M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7-E3950 scores 1,864 against the Core i7-2677M's 1,875 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-2677M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 245 vs 562, a 78.6% lead for the Core i7-2677M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x7-E3950 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-2677M.

FeatureAtom x7-E3950Core i7-2677M
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2 GHz
2.9 GHz+45%
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
1.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache
0 kB
4 MB
L2 Cache
2 MB (total)+300%
512 kB
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,864
1,875
Geekbench 6 Single
245
562+129%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom x7-E3950 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2677M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-2400 on the Atom x7-E3950 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2677M — the Atom x7-E3950 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Atom x7-E3950) vs 2 (Core i7-2677M). PCIe lanes: 6 (Atom x7-E3950) vs 16 (Core i7-2677M) — the Core i7-2677M offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apollo Lake (Atom x7-E3950) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2677M).

FeatureAtom x7-E3950Core i7-2677M
Socket
FCBGA1296
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR4-2400+33%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
8 GB
RAM Channels
4+100%
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
6
16+167%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Atom x7-E3950) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2677M). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 505 (Atom x7-E3950) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2677M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2677M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2677M rivals A6-3420M.

FeatureAtom x7-E3950Core i7-2677M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 505
HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Ultrabook