Atom C3958 vs Core i5-2400

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 i5-2400 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 i5-2400: 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: +21.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 31W instead of 95W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2400.

Core i5-2400

2011

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, 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 (3,870 vs 3,929).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Atom C3958 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌206.5% higher power demand at 95W vs 31W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3958 better than Core i5-2400?

Yes. Atom C3958 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 21.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% 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 21.2% 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 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 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 $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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 2011), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3958 vs Core i5-2400 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 i5-2400

The Core i5-2400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,870 points. Launch price was $60.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-2400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3958 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-2400 — a 51.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-2400 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Atom C3958 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2400 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i5-2400's 3,870 — a 1.5% lead for the Atom C3958. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-2400
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+300%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.4 GHz+70%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	16 MB+167%	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,929+2%	3,870
Geekbench 6 Single	—	595

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2400 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Atom C3958 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400 — the Atom C3958 supports 80% 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 i5-2400) — the Core i5-2400 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3958) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2400).

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-2400
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+700%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3958) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2400). The Core i5-2400 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Atom C3958 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2400 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2400 rivals Phenom II X4 975.