Atom C3708 vs Pentium Gold G5420

Intel

Atom C3708

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Pentium Gold G5420

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2019

Atom C3708 vs Pentium Gold G5420 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 Pentium Gold G5420 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 Pentium Gold G5420: 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

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +14.6% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 17W instead of 54W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Gold G5420 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium Gold G5420.

Pentium Gold G5420

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 610, while Atom C3708 needs a discrete GPU.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom C3708.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3708 across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (3,700 vs 3,750).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 16 MB).
  • ❌217.6% higher power demand at 54W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3708 better than Pentium Gold G5420?
Yes. Atom C3708 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.6% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, 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 14.6% more average FPS across 47 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 1.4% 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 14.6% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium Gold G5420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom C3708 vs Pentium Gold G5420 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 (2016βˆ’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

Pentium Gold G5420

The Pentium Gold G5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,700 points. Launch price was $64.

⚑

Processing Power

The Atom C3708 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5420 offers 2 cores / 4 threads β€” the Atom C3708 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Atom C3708 versus 3.8 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5420 β€” a 76.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5420 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Atom C3708 uses the Goldmont (2016βˆ’2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses Coffee Lake (2017βˆ’2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3708 scores 3,750 against the Pentium Gold G5420's 3,700 β€” a 1.3% lead for the Atom C3708. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3708 vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold G5420.

FeatureAtom C3708Pentium Gold G5420
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+300%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.7 GHz
3.8 GHz+124%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
3.8 GHz+124%
L3 Cache
16 MB+300%
4 MB
L2 Cache
16 MB+3100%
512 kB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Goldmont (2016βˆ’2017)
Coffee Lake (2017βˆ’2019)
PassMark
3,750+1%
3,700
Geekbench 6 Single
β€”
764
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
1,515
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom C3708 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Atom C3708 versus DDR4-2400 on the Pentium Gold G5420 β€” the Pentium Gold G5420 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 β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3708) and H310,B360,B365,H370,Z370,Z390 (Pentium Gold G5420).

FeatureAtom C3708Pentium Gold G5420
Socket
FCBGA1310
LGA1151
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
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
16
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3708) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Pentium Gold G5420). The Pentium Gold G5420 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 610), while the Atom C3708 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Gold G5420 targets Office.

FeatureAtom C3708Pentium Gold G5420
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
β€”
Intel UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use
β€”
Office