Atom C3958 vs Core i3-4370

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 C3958 vs Core i3-4370 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 C3958 vs Core i3-4370: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom C3958

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 31W instead of 54W, a 23W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4370 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4370.

Core i3-4370

2014

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Atom C3958 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom C3958.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3958 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,854 vs 3,929).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Atom C3958 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌74.2% higher power demand at 54W vs 31W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3958 better than Core i3-4370?

Yes. Atom C3958 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.9% 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 C3958 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.7% 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 C3958 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Atom C3958 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom C3958 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4370 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (25.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Atom C3958 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014), 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3958 vs Core i3-4370 Technical Specifications

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

Atom C3958

The Atom C3958 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 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 31 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,929 points. Launch price was $449.

Core i3-4370

The Core i3-4370 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,854 points. Launch price was $242.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i3-4370 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3958 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-4370 — a 62.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-4370 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Atom C3958 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-4370 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i3-4370's 3,854 — a 1.9% lead for the Atom C3958. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4370.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i3-4370
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+700%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.8 GHz+90%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.8 GHz+90%
L3 Cache	16 MB+300%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,929+2%	3,854
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,454
Geekbench 6 Single	—	904
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,071

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4370 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3958 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4370 — the Atom C3958 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3958 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3958) vs 16 (Core i3-4370) — the Core i3-4370 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3958) and Intel H81,Intel B85,Intel H87,Intel Z87,Intel H97,Intel Z97 (Core i3-4370).

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i3-4370
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+700%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3958) / true (Core i3-4370). The Core i3-4370 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Atom C3958 requires a dedicated GPU.