Atom x7433RE vs Core i7-2720QM

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 x7433RE vs Core i7-2720QM 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 x7433RE vs Core i7-2720QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x7433RE

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 9W instead of 45W, a 36W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of PGA988 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2720QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-2720QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅77.8% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 9) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,015 vs 4,049).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Atom x7433RE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌400% higher power demand at 45W vs 9W.
❌Older platform position on PGA988, while Atom x7433RE moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x7433RE better than Core i7-2720QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2720QM is ahead with a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom x7433RE pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x7433RE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom x7433RE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom x7433RE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-2720QM only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 x7433RE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2011), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of PGA988, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7433RE vs Core i7-2720QM Technical Specifications

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

Atom x7433RE

The Atom x7433RE 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 4,049 points. Launch price was $63.

Core i7-2720QM

The Core i7-2720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Atom x7433RE packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2720QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Atom x7433RE versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM — a 3% clock advantage for the Atom x7433RE (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom x7433RE uses the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-2720QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7433RE scores 4,049 against the Core i7-2720QM's 4,015 — a 0.8% lead for the Atom x7433RE. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom x7433RE	Core i7-2720QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.2 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Amston Lake (2024−2025)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,049	4,015
Geekbench 6 Single	—	700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,600

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7433RE uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-2720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7433RE versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2720QM — the Atom x7433RE supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-2720QM supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x7433RE) vs 2 (Core i7-2720QM). PCIe lanes: 9 (Atom x7433RE) vs 16 (Core i7-2720QM) — the Core i7-2720QM offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7433RE) and HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2720QM).

Feature	Atom x7433RE	Core i7-2720QM
Socket	FCBGA1264	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+200%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	9	16+78%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x7433RE) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2720QM). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (32EU) (Atom x7433RE) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2720QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Atom x7433RE	Core i7-2720QM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics (32EU)	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Performance Laptop