Atom C3958 vs Core i5-3340S

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 i5-3340S 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 i5-3340S: 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: +18.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 31W instead of 65W, a 34W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,929 vs 3,962).

Core i5-3340S

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3958 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Atom C3958 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌109.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 31W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3958 better than Core i5-3340S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3958 is ahead with a 18.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3340S pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Atom C3958 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3340S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 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 $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3340S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2013) and 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom C3958 vs Core i5-3340S 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 i5-3340S

The Core i5-3340S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2013 (12 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,962 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-3340S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3958 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3340S — a 49.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-3340S (base: 2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Atom C3958 is built on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i5-3340S's 3,962 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-3340S. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-3340S.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-3340S
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+300%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.8 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	16 MB+167%	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	16 MB	—
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	—
PassMark	3,929	3,962

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3340S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-3340S
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	—