Atom C3958 vs Core i3-6300T

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 i3-6300T 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 i3-6300T: 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: +18.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 31W instead of 35W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,929 vs 3,985).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-6300T

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Atom C3958 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3958 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Atom C3958 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3958 better than Core i3-6300T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3958 is ahead with a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6300T pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Atom C3958 also has the bigger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6300T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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 $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-6300T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (34.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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 2015) and 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom C3958 vs Core i3-6300T 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 i3-6300T

The Core i3-6300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,985 points. Launch price was $147.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i3-6300T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3958 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-6300T — a 49.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-6300T (base: 2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Atom C3958 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-6300T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i3-6300T's 3,985 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-6300T. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 4 MB on the Core i3-6300T.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i3-6300T
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+700%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	16 MB+300%	4 MB
L2 Cache	16 MB+3100%	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,929	3,985+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6300T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3958 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6300T — the Atom C3958 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3958 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 C3958) vs 16 (Core i3-6300T) — the Core i3-6300T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i3-6300T
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+300%	64 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) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6300T). The Core i3-6300T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Atom C3958 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6300T targets Desktop Low Power.