Atom C3958 vs Core i5-7260U

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 i5-7260U 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 i5-7260U: 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: +25.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,929 vs 3,953).
❌106.7% higher power demand at 31W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7260U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-7260U

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 31W, a 16W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics 640, 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).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7260U better than Atom C3958?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3958 is ahead with a 25.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7260U pulls ahead with 0.6% 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 i5-7260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7260U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-7260U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-7260U is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Atom C3958 vs Core i5-7260U 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 i5-7260U

The Core i5-7260U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,953 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-7260U 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 i5-7260U — a 51.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7260U (base: 2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom C3958 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7260U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i5-7260U's 3,953 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-7260U. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7260U.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-7260U
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+700%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.4 GHz+70%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	16 MB+300%	4 MB
L2 Cache	16 MB+3100%	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,929	3,953
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,192

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7260U uses BGA1356 (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 i5-7260U — 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 32 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3958) and Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7260U).

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i5-7260U
Socket	FCBGA1310	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+700%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3958) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7260U). The Core i5-7260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 640), while the Atom C3958 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7260U rivals A12-9720P.