Atom x7211E vs Core i3-7020U

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 x7211E vs Core i3-7020U 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 x7211E vs Core i3-7020U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x7211E

2023

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 15W, a 9W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1356 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (9 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics (16EU), while Core i3-7020U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,553 vs 2,567).

Core i3-7020U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌150% higher power demand at 15W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1356 with DDR4, while Atom x7211E moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x7211E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x7211E better than Core i3-7020U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom x7211E is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7020U pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Atom x7211E also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7020U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom x7211E still makes the most sense overall. Atom x7211E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom x7211E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of BGA1356, and 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7211E vs Core i3-7020U Technical Specifications

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

Atom x7211E

The Atom x7211E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Gracemont (2023) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,553 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Atom x7211E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-7020U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Atom x7211E versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Atom x7211E (base: 1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Atom x7211E uses the Gracemont (2023) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-7020U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7211E scores 2,553 against the Core i3-7020U's 2,567 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-7020U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7211E vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U.

Feature	Atom x7211E	Core i3-7020U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+39%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	1 GHz	2.3 GHz+130%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+300%	512 kB
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Gracemont (2023)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,553	2,567

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7211E uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-7020U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x7211E	Core i3-7020U
Socket	FCBGA1744	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	9	—