Atom C3338 vs Atom x5-Z8330

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.

Atom C3338 vs Atom x5-Z8330 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.

Atom C3338 vs Atom x5-Z8330: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3338

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅900% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 1) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-Z8330 across 17 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-Z8330 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Atom x5-Z8330

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 17 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail), while Atom C3338 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,025 vs 1,028).

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3338 better than Atom x5-Z8330?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom x5-Z8330 is ahead with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 17 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom C3338 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom C3338 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Atom C3338 still makes the most sense overall. Atom C3338 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

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

Atom C3338 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3338 vs Atom x5-Z8330 Technical Specifications

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

Atom C3338

The Atom C3338 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 February 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $27.

Atom x5-Z8330

The Atom x5-Z8330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Memory support: DDR3L-RS 1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,025 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3338 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8330 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Atom C3338 versus 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8330 — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Atom C3338 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Atom C3338 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8330 uses Airmont (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3338 scores 1,028 against the Atom x5-Z8330's 1,025 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom C3338. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Atom C3338 vs 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8330.

Feature	Atom C3338	Atom x5-Z8330
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+15%	1.92 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz+4%	1.44 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Airmont (2016)
PassMark	1,028	1,025

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the Atom C3338 versus DDR3L-RS 1600 on the Atom x5-Z8330 — the Atom C3338 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3338 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 6300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Atom C3338) vs 1 (Atom x5-Z8330) — the Atom C3338 offers 9 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3338) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8330).

Feature	Atom C3338	Atom x5-Z8330
Socket	FCBGA1310	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+17%	DDR3L-RS 1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+6300%	2 GB
RAM Channels	1	1
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	10+900%	1