A6-7470K vs Atom x5-E3940

A6-7470K vs Atom x5-E3940 Performance Spectrum

A6-7470K

2 / 2

1,799

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom x5-E3940

4 / 4

1,816

+0.9%

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.

A6-7470K vs Atom x5-E3940 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.

A6-7470K vs Atom x5-E3940: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A6-7470K

2016

Why buy it

✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 6) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Atom x5-E3940.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,799 vs 1,816).
❌550% higher power demand at 65W vs 10W.

Atom x5-E3940

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 10W instead of 65W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A6-7470K.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-E3940 better than A6-7470K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A6-7470K is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-E3940 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-E3940 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 x5-E3940 still makes the most sense overall. Atom x5-E3940 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A6-7470K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6-7470K vs Atom x5-E3940 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A6-7470K

The A6-7470K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,799 points. Launch price was $70.

Atom x5-E3940

The Atom x5-E3940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A6-7470K packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-E3940 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-E3940 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the A6-7470K versus 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 — a 75.9% clock advantage for the A6-7470K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The A6-7470K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Atom x5-E3940 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A6-7470K scores 1,799 against the Atom x5-E3940's 1,816 — a 0.9% lead for the Atom x5-E3940.

Feature	A6-7470K	Atom x5-E3940
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+122%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+131%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1024 kB	2 MB (total)+100%
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	1,799	1,816

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Memory & Platform

The A6-7470K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom x5-E3940 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the A6-7470K versus DDR3L-1866 on the Atom x5-E3940 — the A6-7470K supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-7470K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-7470K) vs 6 (Atom x5-E3940) — the A6-7470K offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FM2+ (A6-7470K) and Intel FCBGA1296 (Atom x5-E3940).

Feature	A6-7470K	Atom x5-E3940
Socket	FM2+	FCBGA1296
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+14%	DDR3L-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16+167%	6

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A6-7470K) / not specified (Atom x5-E3940). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R5 Graphics (A6-7470K) and Intel HD Graphics 500 (Atom x5-E3940) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A6-7470K rivals Pentium G4400.