Atom C3758 vs Core i7-6970HQ

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 i7-6970HQ 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 i7-6970HQ: 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: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,614 vs 4,632).
❌2400% higher power demand at 25W vs 1W.

Core i7-6970HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 25W, a 24W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3758 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6970HQ better than Atom C3758?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3758 is ahead with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6970HQ pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Atom C3758 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6970HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6970HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-6970HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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 2016) and 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom C3758 vs Core i7-6970HQ 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 i7-6970HQ

The Core i7-6970HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,632 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3758 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-6970HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Atom C3758 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Atom C3758 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-6970HQ — a 50.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-6970HQ (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Atom C3758 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6970HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3758 scores 4,614 against the Core i7-6970HQ's 4,632 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-6970HQ. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3758 vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6970HQ.

Feature	Atom C3758	Core i7-6970HQ
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+68%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	16 MB+100%	8 MB
L2 Cache	16 MB+1500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,614	4,632
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 i7-6970HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom C3758	Core i7-6970HQ
Socket	FCBGA1310	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—