Atom x7835RE vs Core i5-7600K

Intel

Atom x7835RE

8 Cores8 Thrd12 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2024
VS
Intel

Core i5-7600K

4 Cores4 Thrd91 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

Atom x7835RE vs Core i5-7600K Performance Spectrum

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.

Atom x7835RE vs Core i5-7600K 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 x7835RE vs Core i5-7600K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x7835RE

2024

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $90 less on MSRP ($127 MSRP vs $217 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 70.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.5 vs 31.4 PassMark/$ ($127 MSRP vs $217 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 12W instead of 91W, a 79W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (6,795 vs 6,813).

Core i5-7600K

2017

Why buy it

  • βœ…77.8% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 9) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.4 vs 53.5 PassMark/$ ($217 MSRP vs $127 MSRP).
  • ❌658.3% higher power demand at 91W vs 12W.
  • ❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Atom x7835RE moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7600K better than Atom x7835RE?
Yes. Core i5-7600K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-7600K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% 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, Core i5-7600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-7600K is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-7600K comes in 70.9% more expensive on MSRP at $217 MSRP versus $127 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom x7835RE only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.7% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Atom x7835RE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7835RE vs Core i5-7600K Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Atom x7835RE

The Atom x7835RE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Amston Lake (2024βˆ’2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 12 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 6,795 points. Launch price was $127.

Intel

Core i5-7600K

The Core i5-7600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,813 points. Launch price was $242.

⚑

Processing Power

The Atom x7835RE packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-7600K offers 4 cores / 4 threads β€” the Atom x7835RE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Atom x7835RE versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7600K β€” a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600K (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Atom x7835RE uses the Amston Lake (2024βˆ’2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-7600K uses Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7835RE scores 6,795 against the Core i5-7600K's 6,813 β€” a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-7600K. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureAtom x7835RECore i5-7600K
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+100%
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
4.2 GHz+17%
Base Clock
1.3 GHz
3.8 GHz+192%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per module)
256K (per core)+12700%
Process
10 nm-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Amston Lake (2024βˆ’2025)
Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019)
PassMark
6,795
6,813
Cinebench R23 Multi
β€”
4,143
Geekbench 6 Single
β€”
1,100
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
3,800
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom x7835RE uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-7600K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7835RE versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7600K β€” the Atom x7835RE supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7600K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB β€” 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x7835RE) vs 2 (Core i5-7600K). PCIe lanes: 9 (Atom x7835RE) vs 16 (Core i5-7600K) β€” the Core i5-7600K offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7835RE) and Z270,H270,B250 (Core i5-7600K).

FeatureAtom x7835RECore i5-7600K
Socket
FCBGA1264
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+100%
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
64 GB+100%
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
9
16+78%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x7835RE) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600K). Both include integrated graphics β€” Intel UHD Graphics (32EU) (Atom x7835RE) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7600K) β€” useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600K targets Gaming/Desktop.

FeatureAtom x7835RECore i5-7600K
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics (32EU)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Unlocked
β€”
Yes
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
β€”
Gaming/Desktop
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom x7835RE was priced at $127, while the Core i5-7600K came in at $217. On launch pricing ($127 vs $217), Atom x7835RE was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom x7835RE delivers 53.5 pts/$ vs 31.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-7600K β€” making the Atom x7835RE the 52.1% better value option.

FeatureAtom x7835RECore i5-7600K
MSRP
$127-41%
$217
Performance per Dollar
53.5+70%
31.4
Release Date
2024
2017

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