Atom C3808 vs Xeon E5649

Intel

Atom C3808

12 Cores12 Thrd25 WWMax: 2 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5649

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Atom C3808 vs Xeon E5649 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 C3808 vs Xeon E5649 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 C3808 vs Xeon E5649: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3808

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 25W instead of 80W, a 55W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5649

2011

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3808 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (5,659 vs 5,671).
    • Launch MSRP is still $774 MSRP, while Atom C3808 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 220% higher power demand at 80W vs 25W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Atom C3808 better than Xeon E5649?
    Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5649 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Atom C3808 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 C3808 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% 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 C3808 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Atom C3808 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5649 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Atom C3808 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $774 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5649 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Atom C3808 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Atom C3808 vs Xeon E5649 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Atom C3808

    The Atom C3808 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 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2133. Passmark benchmark score: 5,671 points. Launch price was $369.

    Intel

    Xeon E5649

    The Xeon E5649 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,659 points. Launch price was $45.

    Processing Power

    The Atom C3808 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5649 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Atom C3808 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3808 versus 2.93 GHz on the Xeon E5649 — a 37.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5649 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Atom C3808 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5649 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3808 scores 5,671 against the Xeon E5649's 5,659 — a 0.2% lead for the Atom C3808. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Atom C3808 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon E5649.

    FeatureAtom C3808Xeon E5649
    Cores / Threads
    12 / 12+100%
    6 / 12
    Boost Clock
    2 GHz
    2.93 GHz+47%
    Base Clock
    2 GHz
    2.53 GHz+26%
    L3 Cache
    12 MB
    12288 kB (total)
    L2 Cache
    12 MB+4700%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    14 nm-56%
    32 nm
    Architecture
    Goldmont (2016−2017)
    Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
    PassMark
    5,671
    5,659
    Geekbench 6 Single
    415
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    2,109
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Atom C3808 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5649 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Atom C3808 versus DDR3 1333 MHz on the Xeon E5649 — the Atom C3808 supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5649 supports up to 288 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB 12.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Atom C3808) vs 3 (Xeon E5649). PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3808) vs 0 (Xeon E5649) — the Atom C3808 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3808) and Intel 5520,Intel X58 (Xeon E5649).

    FeatureAtom C3808Xeon E5649
    Socket
    FCBGA1310
    LGA1366
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 5.0+67%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-2133+60%
    DDR3 1333 MHz
    Max RAM Capacity
    256 GB
    288 GB+13%
    RAM Channels
    2
    3+50%
    ECC Support
    Yes
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    12
    0
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3808) / true (Xeon E5649). Primary use case: Xeon E5649 targets Server.

    FeatureAtom C3808Xeon E5649
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    true
    Target Use
    Server