Atom C3708 vs Core i3-8145U

Intel

Atom C3708

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i3-8145U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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Atom C3708 vs Core i3-8145U Performance Spectrum

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.

Atom C3708 vs Core i3-8145U 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 C3708 vs Core i3-8145U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3708

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +19.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (3,750 vs 3,781).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8145U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-8145U

2018

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 15W instead of 17W, a 2W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while Atom C3708 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3708 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8145U better than Atom C3708?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3708 is ahead with a 19.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8145U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Atom C3708 also has the bigger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8145U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-8145U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-8145U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-8145U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3708 vs Core i3-8145U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Atom C3708

The Atom C3708 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 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,750 points. Launch price was $209.

Intel

Core i3-8145U

The Core i3-8145U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,781 points. Launch price was $281.

Processing Power

The Atom C3708 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-8145U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3708 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Atom C3708 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8145U — a 78.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-8145U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Atom C3708 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-8145U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3708 scores 3,750 against the Core i3-8145U's 3,781 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-8145U. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3708 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8145U.

FeatureAtom C3708Core i3-8145U
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+300%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.7 GHz
3.9 GHz+129%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
2.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache
16 MB+300%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
16 MB+6300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Goldmont (2016−2017)
Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark
3,750
3,781
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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3708 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8145U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Atom C3708 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8145U — the Core i3-8145U supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3708 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

FeatureAtom C3708Core i3-8145U
Socket
FCBGA1310
FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB+300%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3708) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8145U). The Core i3-8145U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Atom C3708 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8145U targets Mobile.

FeatureAtom C3708Core i3-8145U
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mobile