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 C3858 vs Core i5-4590S 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 C3858 vs Core i5-4590S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3858

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 23 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,040 vs 5,131).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4590S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4590S.

Core i5-4590S

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.8% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Atom C3858 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom C3858.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3858 across 23 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Atom C3858 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3858 better than Core i5-4590S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3858 is ahead with a 13.6% average FPS lead across 23 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4590S pulls ahead with 1.8% better PassMark. Atom C3858 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4590S is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom C3858 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom C3858 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.6% average FPS lead across 23 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-4590S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (26.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Atom C3858 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) and 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom C3858 vs Core i5-4590S Technical Specifications

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

Atom C3858

The Atom C3858 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: 2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,040 points. Launch price was $332.

Core i5-4590S

The Core i5-4590S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,131 points. Launch price was $291.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3858 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-4590S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3858 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3858 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4590S — a 59.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-4590S (base: 2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Atom C3858 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4590S uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3858 scores 5,040 against the Core i5-4590S's 5,131 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-4590S. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Atom C3858 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4590S.

Feature	Atom C3858	Core i5-4590S
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+200%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.7 GHz+85%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	12 MB+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	12 MB+4700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	5,040	5,131+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,116

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3858 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4590S uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3858 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4590S — the Atom C3858 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3858 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. PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3858) vs 16 (Core i5-4590S) — the Core i5-4590S offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3858) and H81,B85,H87,Q85,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4590S).

Feature	Atom C3858	Core i5-4590S
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+700%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3858) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4590S). The Core i5-4590S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Atom C3858 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4590S targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4590S rivals A10-7850K.