Atom C3958 vs Core i3-7101TE

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 i3-7101TE 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 i3-7101TE: 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: +21.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 31W instead of 35W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,929 vs 3,956).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7101TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-7101TE

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, 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 (3 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 Core i3-7101TE better than Atom C3958?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3958 is ahead with a 21.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7101TE pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Atom C3958 also has the bigger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7101TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7101TE is the better buy right now. Core i3-7101TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Atom C3958 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 21.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (33.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-7101TE is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Atom C3958 vs Core i3-7101TE 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 i3-7101TE

The Core i3-7101TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,956 points. Launch price was $117.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i3-7101TE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3958 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7101TE — a 51.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-7101TE (base: 2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Atom C3958 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7101TE uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i3-7101TE's 3,956 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-7101TE. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7101TE.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i3-7101TE
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+700%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.4 GHz+70%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.4 GHz+70%
L3 Cache	16 MB+433%	3 MB
L2 Cache	16 MB+3100%	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,929	3,956
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,188
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,368

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7101TE uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. 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 i3-7101TE) — the Core i3-7101TE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3958) and H110,B150,H170,Z170,B250,H270,Z270 (Core i3-7101TE).

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i3-7101TE
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
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) / Yes (Core i3-7101TE). The Core i3-7101TE includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Atom C3958 requires a dedicated GPU.