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 Z3735G vs Core i7-3520M 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 Z3735G vs Core i7-3520M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom Z3735G

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $329 less on MSRP ($17 MSRP vs $346 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1970.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 170.1 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($17 MSRP vs $346 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-3520M

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,842 vs 2,891).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 170.1 PassMark/$ ($346 MSRP vs $17 MSRP).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z3735G better than Core i7-3520M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3520M is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z3735G pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. Core i7-3520M also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z3735G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom Z3735G is the better buy right now. Atom Z3735G comes in $329 cheaper on MSRP at $17 MSRP versus $346 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3520M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1970.4% better value on MSRP (170.1 vs 8.2 PassMark/$), 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 Z3735G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom Z3735G vs Core i7-3520M Technical Specifications

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

Atom Z3735G

The Atom Z3735G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,891 points. Launch price was $17.

Core i7-3520M

The Core i7-3520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,842 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

The Atom Z3735G packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3520M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom Z3735G has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Atom Z3735G versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3520M — a 65.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3520M (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Atom Z3735G uses the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-3520M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z3735G scores 2,891 against the Core i7-3520M's 2,842 — a 1.7% lead for the Atom Z3735G. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Atom Z3735G vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3520M.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-3520M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	3.6 GHz+97%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2.9 GHz+118%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,891+2%	2,842

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z3735G uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-RS 1333 on the Atom Z3735G versus 1600 on the Core i7-3520M — the Core i7-3520M supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-3520M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 1 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom Z3735G) vs 2 (Core i7-3520M). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom Z3735G) vs 16 (Core i7-3520M) — the Core i7-3520M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom Z3735G) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3520M).

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-3520M
Socket	UTFCBGA592	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1333	1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	1 GB	32 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom Z3735G) / true (Core i7-3520M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Atom Z3735G) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3520M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3520M rivals AMD A10-5750M.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-3520M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom Z3735G was priced at $17, while the Core i7-3520M came in at $346. On launch pricing ($17 vs $346), Atom Z3735G was $329 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom Z3735G delivers 170.1 pts/$ vs 8.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-3520M — making the Atom Z3735G the 181.6% better value option.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-3520M
MSRP	$17-95%	$346
Performance per Dollar	170.1+1974%	8.2
Release Date	2014	2012

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