Atom x5-E3940 vs i7-720QM

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-720QM
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 45 Watt
1.08
Atom x5-E3940
2014
4 cores / 4 threads, 10 Watt
1.28
+18.5%

Atom x5-E3940 outperforms Core i7-720QM by a moderate 19% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking24242303
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i75x Intel Atom
Power efficiency2.1911.67
Architecture codenameClarksfield (2009−2010)Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
Release date24 June 2009 (15 years ago)30 August 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$546no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads84
Base clock speed1.6 GHz1.6 GHz
Boost clock speed2.8 GHz1.8 GHz
Bus typeDMI 1.0no data
Bus rate2.5 GT/sno data
Multiplier12no data
L1 cache256 KB56K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB2 MB (shared)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography45 nm14 nm
Die size296 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data103 °C
Number of transistors774 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCPGA988,PGA988Intel BGA 1296
Power consumption (TDP)45 Watt10 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
AES-NI-+
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
PAE36 Bitno data

Security technologies

Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-1066, DDR3-1333DDR3-1866
Maximum memory size8 GB8 GB
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21.335 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardNoneIntel HD Graphics 500

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940.

PCIe version22.0
PCI Express lanes164

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-720QM 1.08
Atom x5-E3940 1.28
+18.5%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-720QM 1656
Atom x5-E3940 1953
+17.9%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.08 1.28
Recency 24 June 2009 30 August 2014
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 45 Watt 10 Watt

i7-720QM has 100% more threads.

Atom x5-E3940, on the other hand, has a 18.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, a 221.4% more advanced lithography process, and 350% lower power consumption.

The Atom x5-E3940 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-720QM in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-720QM and Atom x5-E3940, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-720QM
Core i7-720QM
Intel Atom x5-E3940
Atom x5-E3940

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.5 155 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-720QM or Atom x5-E3940, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.