Atom Z3735G vs Core i7-920

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 i7-920 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 i7-920: 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

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $267 less on MSRP ($17 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1585.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 170.1 vs 10.1 PassMark/$ ($17 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Core i7-920 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-920 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).
❌100% higher power demand at 2W vs 1W.

Core i7-920

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 2W, a 1W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,866 vs 2,891).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.1 vs 170.1 PassMark/$ ($284 MSRP vs $17 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom Z3735G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z3735G better than Core i7-920?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-920 is ahead with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z3735G pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-920 also has the bigger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (8 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 0.9% 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 $267 cheaper on MSRP at $17 MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-920 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1585.2% better value on MSRP (170.1 vs 10.1 PassMark/$), 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 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom Z3735G vs Core i7-920 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 i7-920

The Core i7-920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,866 points. Launch price was $340.

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Processing Power

The Atom Z3735G packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-920's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Atom Z3735G versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-920 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-920 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Atom Z3735G uses the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-920 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z3735G scores 2,891 against the Core i7-920's 2,866 — a 0.9% lead for the Atom Z3735G. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Atom Z3735G vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-920.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-920
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	2.93 GHz+60%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2.66 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	8 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,891	2,866

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z3735G uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-920 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-920
Socket	UTFCBGA592	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	1 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

The Atom Z3735G includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)), while the Core i7-920 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-920
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom Z3735G was priced at $17, while the Core i7-920 came in at $284. On launch pricing ($17 vs $284), Atom Z3735G was $267 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom Z3735G delivers 170.1 pts/$ vs 10.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-920 — making the Atom Z3735G the 177.6% better value option.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core i7-920
MSRP	$17-94%	$284
Performance per Dollar	170.1+1584%	10.1
Release Date	2014	2008

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