Atom C3858 vs Processor N150

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 Processor N150 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 Processor N150: 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: +22.0% higher average FPS across 24 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Older platform position on FCBGA1310 with DDR4, while Processor N150 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N150

2024

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1310 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3858 across 24 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,016 vs 5,040).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3858 better than Processor N150?

Yes. Atom C3858 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.0% average FPS lead across 24 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, 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 22.0% more average FPS across 24 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 0.5% 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 still makes the most sense overall. Atom C3858 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.0% average FPS lead across 24 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Processor N150 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1310. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom C3858 vs Processor N150 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.

Processor N150

The Processor N150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 November 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 5,016 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3858 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Processor N150 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3858 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3858 versus 3.6 GHz on the Processor N150 — a 57.1% clock advantage for the Processor N150 (base: 2 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Atom C3858 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Processor N150 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3858 scores 5,040 against the Processor N150's 5,016 — a 0.5% lead for the Atom C3858. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Atom C3858 vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N150.

Feature	Atom C3858	Processor N150
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+200%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.6 GHz+80%
Base Clock	2 GHz+1900%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	12 MB+500%	2 MB (total)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Twin Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	5,040	5,016

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3858 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N150 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom C3858	Processor N150
Socket	FCBGA1310	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—