A8-5500B vs Atom C3958

A8-5500B vs Atom C3958 Performance Spectrum

A8-5500B

4 / 4

3,967

+1.0%

Athlon II X4 630

Athlon X4 740

Athlon X4 830

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

Ryzen 7 6800H

Ryzen 7 8840HX

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom C3958

16 / 16

3,929

0.0%

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.

A8-5500B vs Atom C3958 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.

A8-5500B vs Atom C3958: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-5500B

2012

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7560D, while Atom C3958 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Atom C3958.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3958 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌109.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 31W.

Atom C3958

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 31W instead of 65W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,929 vs 3,967).
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-5500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-5500B.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3958 better than A8-5500B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3958 is ahead with a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A8-5500B pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A8-5500B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Atom C3958 still makes the most sense overall. Atom C3958 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom C3958 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-5500B vs Atom C3958 Technical Specifications

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

A8-5500B

The A8-5500B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,967 points. Launch price was $90.

Atom C3958

The Atom C3958 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 31 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,929 points. Launch price was $449.

⚡

Processing Power

The A8-5500B packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Atom C3958 offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Atom C3958 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the A8-5500B versus 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 — a 59.6% clock advantage for the A8-5500B (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The A8-5500B uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom C3958 uses Goldmont (2016−2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5500B scores 3,967 against the Atom C3958's 3,929 — a 1% lead for the A8-5500B. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5500B vs 16 MB on the Atom C3958.

Feature	A8-5500B	Atom C3958
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	16 / 16+300%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+85%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	16 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	16 MB+1500%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Goldmont (2016−2017)
PassMark	3,967	3,929

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-5500B uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom C3958 uses FCBGA1310 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1866 on the A8-5500B versus DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3958 — the Atom C3958 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3958 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A8-5500B) vs 12 (Atom C3958) — the A8-5500B offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FM2 (A8-5500B) and Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3958).

Feature	A8-5500B	Atom C3958
Socket	FM2	FCBGA1310
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1866	DDR4-2400+29%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	256 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A8-5500B) / not specified (Atom C3958). The A8-5500B includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7560D), while the Atom C3958 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-5500B rivals Pentium G2120.