Atom C3858 vs Xeon E3-1235L v5

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 Xeon E3-1235L v5 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 Xeon E3-1235L v5: 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: +30.6% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅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 E3-1235L v5

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3858 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,013 vs 5,040).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3858 better than Xeon E3-1235L v5?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1235L v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Atom C3858 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 C3858 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.6% more average FPS across 49 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 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 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 30.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our 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), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 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 Xeon E3-1235L v5 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.

Xeon E3-1235L v5

The Xeon E3-1235L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,013 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3858 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3858 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3858 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235L v5 — a 40% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1235L v5 (base: 2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Atom C3858 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3858 scores 5,040 against the Xeon E3-1235L v5's 5,013 — a 0.5% lead for the Atom C3858. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Atom C3858 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1235L v5.

Feature	Atom C3858	Xeon E3-1235L v5
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+200%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	12 MB+4700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	5,040	5,013

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3858 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom C3858	Xeon E3-1235L v5
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—