Atom x7211RE vs Core i5-3437U

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 x7211RE vs Core i5-3437U 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 x7211RE vs Core i5-3437U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x7211RE

2024

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1023 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-3437U

2013

Why buy it

✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,166 vs 2,188).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1023, while Atom x7211RE moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x7211RE better than Core i5-3437U?

Yes. Atom x7211RE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom x7211RE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x7211RE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Atom x7211RE still makes the most sense overall. Atom x7211RE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom x7211RE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2013), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1023, 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7211RE vs Core i5-3437U Technical Specifications

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

Atom x7211RE

The Atom x7211RE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Amston Lake (2024−2025) 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: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,188 points. Launch price was $42.

Core i5-3437U

The Core i5-3437U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,166 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom x7211RE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-3437U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Atom x7211RE versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-3437U — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Atom x7211RE (base: 1 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Atom x7211RE uses the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-3437U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7211RE scores 2,188 against the Core i5-3437U's 2,166 — a 1% lead for the Atom x7211RE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7211RE vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3437U.

Feature	Atom x7211RE	Core i5-3437U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+10%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	1 GHz	1.9 GHz+90%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Amston Lake (2024−2025)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,188+1%	2,166
Geekbench 6 Single	—	440
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,080

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7211RE uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-3437U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-4800 on the Atom x7211RE versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3437U — the Atom x7211RE supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x7211RE) vs 2 (Core i5-3437U). PCIe lanes: 8 (Atom x7211RE) vs 16 (Core i5-3437U) — the Core i5-3437U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7211RE) and QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3437U).

Feature	Atom x7211RE	Core i5-3437U
Socket	FCBGA1264	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-4800+200%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics (16 EU) (Atom x7211RE) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3437U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Atom x7211RE targets Embedded, Core i5-3437U targets Business Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i5-3437U rivals AMD A8-4555M.

Feature	Atom x7211RE	Core i5-3437U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics (16 EU)	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Embedded	Business Ultrabook