Intel Atom x7-Z8750 vs Intel Atom x7-Z8700

Intel Atom x7-Z8750

The Atom x7-Z8750 is a quad-core SoC for entry-level laptops and passive-cooled tablets, which has been presented in early 2016. It is clocked at 1.1 - 2.56 GHz and part of the Cherry Trail platform. Thanks to its new 14 nanometer low-power process (P1273) with tri-gate transistors, energy efficiency has been significantly improved compared to its predecessor Bay Trail. In addition to the CPU cores, the SoC offers a DirectX 11.2-capable GPU as well as a DDR3L Memory Controller (2x 64 bit, 25.6 GB/s).

Compared to the similar Pentium N3710, the Atom x7-Z8750 is tuned for less power consumption and offers less PCI-Express lanes (2 instead of 4) and less USB 3.0 ports (3 instead of 5). Furthermore, the integrated GPU clocks only at 600 (instead of 700) MHz and the memory controller supports LPDDR3-1600.

Architecture

The processor cores are based on the Airmont architecture, which is basically a slightly modified shrink of the previous Silvermont core. While performance per clock has not been improved, the more efficient 14 nm process leads to a better utilization of the CPU Burst (alias Turbo Boost) and a therefore somewhat higher overall performance.

Performance

Due to the passive cooling and lower TDP, the Atom x7-Z8750 is a bit slower than the similar clocked Pentium N3710. The boost frequency of the CPU cores wont be used as long as in an average Pentium based laptop. However, if TDP and cooling are similar, the performance should be comparable. Using Windows, the CPU is adequate for everyday tasks such as Internet browsing or office applications, but may struggle in more demanding software or multitasking.

Graphics

The HD Graphics 405 (Braswell) is based on the Intel Gen8 architecture, which supports DirectX 11.2 and is also found in the Broadwell series (e.g. HD Graphics 5300). With 16 EUs (Execution Units) and a clock speed of up to 600 MHz, the GPU is about twice as fast as the HD Graphics (Bay Trail), but still not powerful enough to handle demanding 3D games of 2015. The GPU also supports 4K/H.265 video acceleration.

Power Consumption

The entire SoC is not rated with a TDP, but only an SDP (Scenario Design Power) of 2 Watt (N3710 SDP 4 Watt, TDP 6 Watt). Thus, the chip can be cooled passively.

Intel Atom x7-Z8700

The Intel Atom x7-Z8700 is a power efficient quad-core SoC for Windows and Android devices (tablets and convertibles), which has been presented in March 2015. It is clocked at 1.6 - 2.4 GHz and part of the Cherry Trail platform. Thanks to its new 14 nanometer low-power process (P1273) with tri-gate transistors, energy efficiency has been significantly improved compared to its predecessor Bay Trail-T (e.g. Atom Z3795). In addition to the CPU cores, the SoC offers a DirectX 11.2-capable GPU as well as a LPDDR3 Memory Controller (2x 64 bit, 25.6 GB/s).

Architecture

The processor cores are based on the Airmont architecture, which is basically a slightly modified shrink of the previous Silvermont core. While performance per clock has not been improved, the more efficient 14 nm process leads to a better utilization of the CPU Burst (alias Turbo Boost) and a therefore somewhat higher overall performance.

Performance

Compared to the Atom Z3795, the Atom x7-Z8700 offers about 5 percent more performance and is similar fast as an AMD A6-6210 APU or high-end ARM SoCs, e.g. the Snapdragon 810 or Exynos 7420.

Using Windows, the performance is adequate for everyday tasks such as Internet or Office, but not for very complex software or modern games.

Graphics

The HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) is based on the Intel Gen8 architecture, which supports DirectX 11.2 and is also found in the Broadwell series (e.g. HD Graphics 5300). With 16 EUs (Execution Units) and a clock speed of up to 600 MHz, the GPU is about twice as fast as the HD Graphics (Bay Trail) and will handle older and less demandig Windows games (e.g. Counter-Strike: GO) in low settings at decent frame rates. The GPU also supports 4K/H.265 video acceleration.

Compared to ARM SoCs, the HD Graphics offers a performance somewhere between the Qualcomm Adreno 330 / PowerVR G6430 and the Adreno 420 / PowerVR GX6450.

Power Consumption

The entire SoC is rated at an SDP of 2 watts, which indicates a TDP of less than 4 watts. Thus, the chip can be used in passively cooled tablets.