Atom C3955 vs Core i3-1115G4

Intel

Atom C3955

16 Cores16 Thrd32 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i3-1115G4

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2020
Similar parts
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Atom C3955 vs Core i3-1115G4 Performance Spectrum

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.

Atom C3955 vs Core i3-1115G4 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 C3955 vs Core i3-1115G4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3955

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +31.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).
  • 200% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,803 vs 5,860).
  • 113.3% higher power demand at 32W vs 15W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1115G4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-1115G4

2020

Why buy it

  • +1% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 15W instead of 32W, a 17W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU), while Atom C3955 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3955 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1115G4 better than Atom C3955?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3955 is ahead with a 31.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115G4 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Atom C3955 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115G4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-1115G4 still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-1115G4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-1115G4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 16/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3955 vs Core i3-1115G4 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Atom C3955

The Atom C3955 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 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 32 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,803 points. Launch price was $434.

Intel

Core i3-1115G4

The Core i3-1115G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,860 points. Launch price was $281.

Processing Power

The Atom C3955 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i3-1115G4 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3955 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Atom C3955 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-1115G4 — a 52.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115G4 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom C3955 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-1115G4 uses Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Atom C3955 scores 5,803 against the Core i3-1115G4's 5,860 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-1115G4. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3955 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115G4.

FeatureAtom C3955Core i3-1115G4
Cores / Threads
16 / 16+700%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
4.1 GHz+71%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
2.2 GHz+5%
L3 Cache
16 MB+167%
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
16 MB+1180%
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture
Goldmont (2016−2017)
Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)
PassMark
5,803
5,860
Geekbench 6 Single
1,579
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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3955 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-1115G4 uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3955 versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1115G4 — the Core i3-1115G4 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3955 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 C3955) vs 4 (Core i3-1115G4) — the Atom C3955 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureAtom C3955Core i3-1115G4
Socket
FCBGA1310
FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB+300%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
12+200%
4
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3955) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1115G4). The Core i3-1115G4 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)), while the Atom C3955 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1115G4 targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1115G4 rivals Ryzen 3 5300U.

FeatureAtom C3955Core i3-1115G4
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop