Atom C3708 vs Core i5-7287U

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 i5-7287U 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 i5-7287U: 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: +17.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 28W, a 11W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7287U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-7287U

2017

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650, while Atom C3708 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3708 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,743 vs 3,750).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 16 MB).
❌64.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3708 better than Core i5-7287U?

Yes. Atom C3708 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 C3708 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom C3708 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Atom C3708 still makes the most sense overall. Atom C3708 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom C3708 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3708 vs Core i5-7287U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-7287U

The Core i5-7287U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,743 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3708 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-7287U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3708 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Atom C3708 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-7287U — a 74.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-7287U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Atom C3708 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7287U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3708 scores 3,750 against the Core i5-7287U's 3,743 — a 0.2% lead for the Atom C3708. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3708 vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7287U.

Feature	Atom C3708	Core i5-7287U
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+300%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.7 GHz	3.7 GHz+118%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+94%
L3 Cache	16 MB+300%	4 MB
L2 Cache	16 MB+3100%	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,750	3,743

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3708 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7287U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. The Atom C3708 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Atom C3708) vs 12 (Core i5-7287U) — the Atom C3708 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3708) and Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7287U).

Feature	Atom C3708	Core i5-7287U
Socket	FCBGA1310	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	2133
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+700%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3708) / true (Core i5-7287U). The Core i5-7287U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650), while the Atom C3708 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7287U targets Mobile.