Atom C3858 vs Core i5-6440HQ

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 i5-6440HQ 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 i5-6440HQ: 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: +27.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6440HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-6440HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Atom C3858 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3858 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,021 vs 5,040).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Atom C3858 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3858 better than Core i5-6440HQ?

Yes. Atom C3858 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 27.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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 C3858 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 27.3% 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 C3858 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Atom C3858 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Atom C3858 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 27.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6440HQ only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 27.3% in the shared gaming data.

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 2015), 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3858 vs Core i5-6440HQ 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 i5-6440HQ

The Core i5-6440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 5,021 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3858 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-6440HQ offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3858 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3858 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6440HQ — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-6440HQ (base: 2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Atom C3858 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6440HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3858 scores 5,040 against the Core i5-6440HQ's 5,021 — a 0.4% lead for the Atom C3858. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Atom C3858 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6440HQ.

Feature	Atom C3858	Core i5-6440HQ
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+200%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.5 GHz+75%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.6 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	12 MB+100%	6 MB
L2 Cache	12 MB+1100%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,040	5,021

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3858 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6440HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3858 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6440HQ — the Atom C3858 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3858 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3858) vs 16 (Core i5-6440HQ) — the Core i5-6440HQ offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom C3858	Core i5-6440HQ
Socket	FCBGA1310	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+300%	64 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 (Core i5-6440HQ). The Core i5-6440HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Atom C3858 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6440HQ targets Mobile.