Intel Atom D2550 vs Raspberry Pi 4 B (Broadcom BCM2711)

The Intel Atom D2550 was designed as part of the Cedarview architecture for compact desktop computers and netbooks.

Manufactured using the 32-nanometer process, this processor offers two cores and can process four threads in parallel thanks to Hyper-Threading. Synthetic benchmarks show a significant lag in single-core performance compared to the competition. The hardware features a 1 MB Level 3 cache but lacks a Level 2 cache.

The integrated Intel GMA 3650 graphics unit is designed for basic graphical interfaces but offers no reserves for gaming. With a memory bandwidth of 9 GB/s and a thermal design power of 10 watts, the focus is on low energy consumption. The price-performance ratio is low due to its age, which is why the model is only recommended for specialized legacy systems.

The Broadcom BCM2711 powers the Raspberry Pi 4 B and uses the Cortex-A72 architecture for versatile applications. This chip, manufactured in a 28-nanometer process, has four physical processing cores. In terms of single-core performance, the Broadcom BCM2711 achieves a significantly higher value than the Intel model, allowing for smoother operation.

Equipped with 1 MB Level 2 cache and a memory bandwidth of 13 GB/s, it is well-equipped for micro-computing tasks. Although the Broadcom VideoCore VI graphics unit supports high-resolution video formats, it remains largely unsuitable for gaming, even if it outperforms the Intel solution. The low power consumption makes it suitable for continuous operation.

Thanks to the good ratio between cost and performance, it is recommended for educational projects and small servers.