Atom x5-E3940 vs Core i3-2365M

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-E3940 vs Core i3-2365M 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-E3940 vs Core i3-2365M: 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-E3940

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 10W instead of 512W, a 502W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,816 vs 1,826).

Core i3-2365M

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 6) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌5020% higher power demand at 512W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-E3940 better than Core i3-2365M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom x5-E3940 is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2365M pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2365M 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?

Atom x5-E3940 still makes the most sense overall. Atom x5-E3940 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom x5-E3940 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom x5-E3940 vs Core i3-2365M Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-E3940

The Atom x5-E3940 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 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): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-2365M

The Core i3-2365M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,826 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-E3940 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-2365M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-E3940 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 versus 1.4 GHz on the Core i3-2365M — a 25% clock advantage for the Atom x5-E3940 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Atom x5-E3940 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2365M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E3940 scores 1,816 against the Core i3-2365M's 1,826 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-2365M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E3940 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-2365M.

Feature	Atom x5-E3940	Core i3-2365M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz+29%	1.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+14%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+300%	512 kB
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,816	1,826
Geekbench 6 Single	—	235

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-E3940 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2365M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1866 on the Atom x5-E3940 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2365M — the Atom x5-E3940 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2365M supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 6 (Atom x5-E3940) vs 16 (Core i3-2365M) — the Core i3-2365M offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1296 (Atom x5-E3940) and HM65,HM67,QM67,HM75,HM76,HM77 (Core i3-2365M).

Feature	Atom x5-E3940	Core i3-2365M
Socket	FCBGA1296	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1866+40%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	6	16+167%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E3940) / VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2365M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 500 (Atom x5-E3940) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2365M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2365M targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2365M rivals Pentium 987.

Feature	Atom x5-E3940	Core i3-2365M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 500	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, EPT
Target Use	—	Thin & Light Laptop