Core i7-2720QM vs Atom x7433RE
Core i7-2720QM
Atom x7433RE
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-2720QM is positioned at rank 1062 and the Atom x7433RE is on rank 309, so the Atom x7433RE offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2720QM
Performance Per Dollar Atom x7433RE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2720QM | Atom x7433RE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Amston Lake (2024−2025) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2720QM | Atom x7433RE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2720QM and Atom x7433RE
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Atom x7433RE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM versus 3.4 GHz on the Atom x7433RE — a 3% clock advantage for the Atom x7433RE (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-2720QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom x7433RE uses Amston Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2720QM scores 4,015 against the Atom x7433RE's 4,049 — a 0.8% lead for the Atom x7433RE. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Atom x7433RE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.4 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz+47% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB (total)+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 10 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Amston Lake (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 4,015 | 4,049 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 700 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom x7433RE uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2720QM versus DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7433RE — the Atom x7433RE supports 50% 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 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-2720QM) vs 1 (Atom x7433RE). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2720QM) vs 9 (Atom x7433RE) — the Core i7-2720QM offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2720QM) and Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7433RE).
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Atom x7433RE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR5-4800+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+78% | 9 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2720QM) / not specified (Atom x7433RE). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2720QM) and Intel UHD Graphics (32EU) (Atom x7433RE) — 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 | Core i7-2720QM | Atom x7433RE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | Intel UHD Graphics (32EU) |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Performance Laptop | — |
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