Atom C3955 vs Xeon E5-1620

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 Xeon E5-1620 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 Xeon E5-1620: 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: +11.9% 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

❌Lower PassMark (5,803 vs 5,848).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1620

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 12.
✅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.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $885 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 Xeon E5-1620?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Atom C3955 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Atom C3955 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1620 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Atom C3955 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1620 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1620 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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) and 60% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 10 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom C3955 vs Xeon E5-1620 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.

Xeon E5-1620

The Xeon E5-1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 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: 5,848 points. Launch price was $313.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3955 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-1620 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 Xeon E5-1620 — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Atom C3955 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3955 scores 5,803 against the Xeon E5-1620's 5,848 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-1620. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3955 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620.

Feature	Atom C3955	Xeon E5-1620
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	5,848
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,469
Geekbench 6 Single	—	612
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,250

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3955 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 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 Xeon E5-1620 — the Atom C3955 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1620 supports up to 375 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB — 46.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Atom C3955) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1620). PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3955) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1620) — the Xeon E5-1620 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3955) and Intel C600,Intel X79 (Xeon E5-1620).

Feature	Atom C3955	Xeon E5-1620
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	375 GB+46%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	40+233%