Atom C3958 vs Core i7-2675QM

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 i7-2675QM 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 i7-2675QM: 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: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 31W instead of 45W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2675QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-2675QM

2011

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Atom C3958 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom C3958 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,913 vs 3,929).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Atom C3958 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌45.2% higher power demand at 45W vs 31W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3958 better than Core i7-2675QM?

Yes. Atom C3958 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.6% 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 9.6% 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 the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Atom C3958 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-2675QM only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 9.6% in the shared gaming data.

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 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3958 vs Core i7-2675QM 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 i7-2675QM

The Core i7-2675QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,913 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Atom C3958 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-2675QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Atom C3958 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom C3958 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-2675QM — a 43.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2675QM (base: 2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom C3958 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2675QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3958 scores 3,929 against the Core i7-2675QM's 3,913 — a 0.4% lead for the Atom C3958. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3958 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2675QM.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i7-2675QM
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+300%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	16 MB+167%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB	256K (per core)+1500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,929	3,913

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3958 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2675QM uses FCBGA1224 (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 i7-2675QM — 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 16 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Atom C3958) vs 16 (Core i7-2675QM) — the Core i7-2675QM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom C3958	Core i7-2675QM
Socket	FCBGA1310	FCBGA1224
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+1500%	16 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 (Core i7-2675QM). The Core i7-2675QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Atom C3958 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2675QM targets Mobile.