Atom C3538 vs Core M-5Y31

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 C3538 vs Core M-5Y31 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 C3538 vs Core M-5Y31: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3538

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core M-5Y31

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,905 vs 1,910).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Atom C3538 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3538 better than Core M-5Y31?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core M-5Y31 is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom C3538 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Atom C3538 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom C3538 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Atom C3538 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Atom C3538 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Core M-5Y31 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 1.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Atom C3538 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014), 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3538 vs Core M-5Y31 Technical Specifications

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

Atom C3538

The Atom C3538 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,910 points. Launch price was $75.

Core M-5Y31

The Core M-5Y31 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,905 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3538 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core M-5Y31 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3538 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Atom C3538 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core M-5Y31 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core M-5Y31 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 0.9 GHz). The Atom C3538 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core M-5Y31 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3538 scores 1,910 against the Core M-5Y31's 1,905 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom C3538. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Atom C3538 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y31.

Feature	Atom C3538	Core M-5Y31
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+133%	0.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	8 MB	256K (per core)+3100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	1,910	1,905

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3538 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core M-5Y31 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom C3538	Core M-5Y31
Socket	FCBGA1310	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—