Atom C3758 vs Core i5-3450

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 C3758 vs Core i5-3450 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 C3758 vs Core i5-3450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3758

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 77W, a 52W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3450 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-3450

2012

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2500, while Atom C3758 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3758 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,517 vs 4,614).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Atom C3758 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌208% higher power demand at 77W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3758 better than Core i5-3450?

Yes. Atom C3758 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.1% 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 C3758 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.7% 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 C3758 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Atom C3758 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom C3758 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3450 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Atom C3758 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3758 vs Core i5-3450 Technical Specifications

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

Atom C3758

The Atom C3758 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2400. Passmark benchmark score: 4,614 points. Launch price was $193.

Core i5-3450

The Core i5-3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $186.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3758 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-3450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3758 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Atom C3758 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450 — a 45.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-3450 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Atom C3758 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3450 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3758 scores 4,614 against the Core i5-3450's 4,517 — a 2.1% lead for the Atom C3758. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3758 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450.

Feature	Atom C3758	Core i5-3450
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+59%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.1 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	16 MB+167%	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,614+2%	4,517
Geekbench 6 Single	400	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,400	—

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3758 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3450 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3758 versus 1600 on the Core i5-3450 — the Atom C3758 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3758 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Atom C3758	Core i5-3450
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	1600
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+700%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Atom C3758) vs true (Core i5-3450). The Core i5-3450 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the Atom C3758 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Atom C3758 targets Server/Embedded.