Atom C3858 vs Core i5-6440HQ

Atom C3858

12 Cores12 Thrd25 WWMax: 2 GHz2017

Core i5-6440HQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Atom C3858

12 / 12

5,040

+0.4%

5,021

0.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Atom C3858 is positioned at rank 310 and the Core i5-6440HQ is on rank 879, so the Atom C3858 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Atom C3858

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

4536%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

856%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

761%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

588%

#237

Xeon w3-2535

MSRP: $739|Avg: $800

99%

#239

EPYC 7313P

MSRP: $913|Avg: $824

98%

#240

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700

MSRP: $329|Avg: $60

98%

#310

Atom C3858

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6440HQ

#867

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1461%

#868

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1440%

#869

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1322%

#870

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1316%

#871

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1304%

#873

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1259%

#874

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1207%

#875

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1205%

#876

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1173%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#882

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

100%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

98%

#892

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom C3858 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4: 2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Atom C3858	Core i5-6440HQ
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Goldmont (2016−2017) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-6440HQ (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Atom C3858	Core i5-6440HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Atom C3858 Benchmark Check

Core i5-6440HQ Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom C3858 and Core i5-6440HQ

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.

⚡

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

🧠

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. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Atom C3858 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 120% 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	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+300%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

🔧

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.