Atom C3958 vs Core i5-3330S

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 i5-3330S 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 i5-3330S: 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: +19.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 31W instead of 77W, a 46W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-3330S

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3958 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,915 vs 3,929).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $231 MSRP, while Atom C3958 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌148.4% higher power demand at 77W vs 31W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3958 better than Core i5-3330S?

Yes. Atom C3958 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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 19.9% 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 0.4% 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 $231 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3330S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2012), 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 i5-3330S 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 i5-3330S

The Core i5-3330S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,915 points. Launch price was $231.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-3330S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3958 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330S — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3330S (base: 2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Atom C3958 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3330S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i5-3330S's 3,915 — a 0.4% lead for the Atom C3958. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330S.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-3330S
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+300%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.2 GHz+60%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.7 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	16 MB+167%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,929	3,915

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3330S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-3330S
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—