Core M-5Y10a vs Atom C3538
Core M-5Y10a
Atom C3538
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core M-5Y10a is positioned at rank 1166 and the Atom C3538 is on rank 389, so the Atom C3538 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core M-5Y10a
Performance Per Dollar Atom C3538
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core M-5Y10a | Atom C3538 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($281) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-Y (2014) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Goldmont (2016−2017) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core M-5Y10a | Atom C3538 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($281) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core M-5Y10a and Atom C3538
Core M-5Y10a
The Core M-5Y10a is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.8 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,905 points. Launch price was $69.
Atom C3538
The Atom C3538 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,910 points. Launch price was $75.
Processing Power
The Core M-5Y10a packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Atom C3538 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3538 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core M-5Y10a versus 2.1 GHz on the Atom C3538 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Atom C3538 (base: 0.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core M-5Y10a uses the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture (14 nm), while the Atom C3538 uses Goldmont (2016−2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core M-5Y10a scores 1,905 against the Atom C3538's 1,910 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom C3538. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y10a vs 8 MB on the Atom C3538.
| Feature | Core M-5Y10a | Atom C3538 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 2.1 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 0.8 GHz | 2.1 GHz+163% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 8 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 8 MB+3100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-Y (2014) | Goldmont (2016−2017) |
| PassMark | 1,905 | 1,910 |
Memory & Platform
The Core M-5Y10a uses the FCBGA1234 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom C3538 uses FCBGA1310 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1600 on the Core M-5Y10a versus DDR4-2133 on the Atom C3538 — the Atom C3538 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3538 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core M-5Y10a | Atom C3538 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1234 | FCBGA1310 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR3-1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 256 GB+1500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 12 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core M-5Y10a) / not specified (Atom C3538). The Core M-5Y10a includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5300), while the Atom C3538 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core M-5Y10a targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core M-5Y10a | Atom C3538 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 5300 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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