Atom N2800 vs Core i3-2105

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 N2800 vs Core i3-2105 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 N2800 vs Core i3-2105: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Atom N2800

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $91 less on MSRP ($47 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 192.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.9 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($47 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Draws 7W instead of 65W, a 58W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,829 vs 1,837).

Core i3-2105

2011

Why buy it

✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 38.9 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $47 MSRP).
❌828.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 7W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2105 better than Atom N2800?

Yes. Core i3-2105 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.0% 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, Core i3-2105 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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, Core i3-2105 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-2105 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-2105 comes in 193.6% more expensive on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $47 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom N2800 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.

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

Core i3-2105 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom N2800 vs Core i3-2105 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Atom N2800

The Atom N2800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 6.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,829 points. Launch price was $47.

Core i3-2105

The Core i3-2105 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,837 points. Launch price was $145.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom N2800 and Core i3-2105 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Atom N2800 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2105 — a 49.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-2105 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Atom N2800 uses the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-2105 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N2800 scores 1,829 against the Core i3-2105's 1,837 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-2105. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N2800 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2105.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2105
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.87 GHz	3.1 GHz+66%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	3.1 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Cedarview-M (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,829	1,837

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Memory & Platform

The Atom N2800 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2105 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Atom N2800 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2105 — the Core i3-2105 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2105 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N2800) vs 2 (Core i3-2105). PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom N2800) vs 16 (Core i3-2105) — the Core i3-2105 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2105
Socket	FCBGA559	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	32 GB+700%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N2800) / VT-x (Core i3-2105). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3650 (Atom N2800) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2105) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2105 targets Desktop.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2105
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel GMA 3650	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom N2800 was priced at $47, while the Core i3-2105 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($47 vs $138), Atom N2800 was $91 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom N2800 delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-2105 — making the Atom N2800 the 98% better value option.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2105
MSRP	$47-66%	$138
Performance per Dollar	38.9+192%	13.3
Release Date	2011	2011

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