Atom C3708 vs Xeon L5638

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 Xeon L5638 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 Xeon L5638: 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: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 60W, a 43W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L5638, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon L5638

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3708 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,707 vs 3,750).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌252.9% higher power demand at 60W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3708 better than Xeon L5638?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L5638 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Atom C3708 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom C3708 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 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 6.1% 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 a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2010), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3708 vs Xeon L5638 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.

Xeon L5638

The Xeon L5638 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,707 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3708 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon L5638 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Atom C3708 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Atom C3708 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon L5638 — a 34.1% clock advantage for the Xeon L5638 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Atom C3708 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon L5638 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3708 scores 3,750 against the Xeon L5638's 3,707 — a 1.2% lead for the Atom C3708. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3708 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon L5638.

Feature	Atom C3708	Xeon L5638
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	1.7 GHz	2.4 GHz+41%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	16 MB+33%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,750+1%	3,707

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3708 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon L5638 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom C3708	Xeon L5638
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—