Atom x7835RE vs Core i7-6820HQ

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 i7-6820HQ 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 i7-6820HQ: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 12W instead of 45W, a 33W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (9 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics (32EU), while Core i7-6820HQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $127 MSRP, while Core i7-6820HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-6820HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,758 vs 6,795).
❌275% higher power demand at 45W vs 12W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Atom x7835RE moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x7835RE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x7835RE better than Core i7-6820HQ?

Yes. Atom x7835RE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x7835RE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Atom x7835RE is the better buy right now. Atom x7835RE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $127 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (53.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2015), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7835RE vs Core i7-6820HQ Technical Specifications

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

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 (2024−2025) 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.

Core i7-6820HQ

The Core i7-6820HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,758 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Atom x7835RE packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-6820HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Atom x7835RE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Atom x7835RE versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-6820HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Atom x7835RE uses the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-6820HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7835RE scores 6,795 against the Core i7-6820HQ's 6,758 — a 0.5% lead for the Atom x7835RE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7835RE vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6820HQ.

Feature	Atom x7835RE	Core i7-6820HQ
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.7 GHz+108%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+100%	1 MB
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Amston Lake (2024−2025)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,795	6,758

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7835RE uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-6820HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x7835RE	Core i7-6820HQ
Socket	FCBGA1264	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	9	—