Atom C3955 vs Core i7-3820

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 i7-3820 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 i7-3820: 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: +12.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+60% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 32W instead of 130W, a 98W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅233.3% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3955 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,787 vs 5,803).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $286 MSRP, while Atom C3955 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌306.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 32W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3955 better than Core i7-3820?

Yes. Atom C3955 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 C3955 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.3% 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 C3955 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Atom C3955 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom C3955 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $286 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3820 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Atom C3955 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012), 60% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 10 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3955 vs Core i7-3820 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3955 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-3820 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Atom C3955 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Atom C3955 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Atom C3955 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3820 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3955 scores 5,803 against the Core i7-3820's 5,787 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom C3955. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3955 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820.

Feature	Atom C3955	Core i7-3820
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+300%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+58%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	16 MB+60%	10240 kB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,803	5,787
Geekbench 6 Single	—	624

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3955 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3820 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3955 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3820 — the Atom C3955 supports 50% 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. Memory channels: 2 (Atom C3955) vs 4 (Core i7-3820). PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3955) vs 40 (Core i7-3820) — the Core i7-3820 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3955) and X79 (Core i7-3820).

Feature	Atom C3955	Core i7-3820
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+300%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	12	40+233%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3955) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820). Primary use case: Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.