Atom C3338 vs Pentium B960

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 Pentium B960 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 Pentium B960: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 9W instead of 35W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium B960 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium B960

2011

Why buy it

✅60% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Atom C3338 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3338 across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,019 vs 1,028).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Atom C3338 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌288.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 9W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3338 better than Pentium B960?

Yes. Atom C3338 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom C3338 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% more average FPS across 40 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Atom C3338 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom C3338 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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 2011), 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3338 vs Pentium B960 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.

Pentium B960

The Pentium B960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,019 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom C3338 and Pentium B960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Atom C3338 versus 2.2 GHz on the Pentium B960 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom C3338 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B960 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3338 scores 1,028 against the Pentium B960's 1,019 — a 0.9% lead for the Atom C3338. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Atom C3338 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960.

Feature	Atom C3338	Pentium B960
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.2 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB	256K (per core)+6300%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,028	1,019
Geekbench 6 Single	—	383
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	679

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3338 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B960 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the Atom C3338 versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium B960 — the Atom C3338 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3338 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom C3338) vs 2 (Pentium B960). PCIe lanes: 10 (Atom C3338) vs 16 (Pentium B960) — the Pentium B960 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3338) and HM76 (Pentium B960).

Feature	Atom C3338	Pentium B960
Socket	FCBGA1310	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+40%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	10	16+60%

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Advanced Features

The Pentium B960 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Atom C3338 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B960 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.