Atom x5-E3930 vs Core 2 Duo P9700

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 x5-E3930 vs Core 2 Duo P9700 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 x5-E3930 vs Core 2 Duo P9700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x5-E3930

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 7W instead of 28W, a 22W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 500, while Core 2 Duo P9700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core 2 Duo P9700

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-E3930 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,178 vs 1,185).
❌330.8% higher power demand at 28W vs 6.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-E3930 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-E3930 better than Core 2 Duo P9700?

Yes. Atom x5-E3930 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 x5-E3930 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% 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 x5-E3930 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Atom x5-E3930 still makes the most sense overall. Atom x5-E3930 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom x5-E3930 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-E3930 vs Core 2 Duo P9700 Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-E3930

The Atom x5-E3930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,185 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo P9700

The Core 2 Duo P9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,178 points. Launch price was $348.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Atom x5-E3930 and Core 2 Duo P9700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3930 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9700 — a 43.5% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9700 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Atom x5-E3930 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E3930 scores 1,185 against the Core 2 Duo P9700's 1,178 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-E3930. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E3930 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9700.

Feature	Atom x5-E3930	Core 2 Duo P9700
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	2.8 GHz+56%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.8 GHz+115%
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+200%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,185	1,178

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-E3930 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x5-E3930	Core 2 Duo P9700
Socket	FCBGA1296	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—