Core M-5Y31 vs Atom C3538

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-5Y31 is positioned at rank 1166 and the Atom C3538 is on rank 389, so the Atom C3538 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core M-5Y31

#1153

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4327%

#1154

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4264%

#1155

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3914%

#1156

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3897%

#1157

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3861%

#1159

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3729%

#1160

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3575%

#1161

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3569%

#1162

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3473%

#1165

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1166

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

100%

#1167

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1169

Celeron 1047UE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

100%

#1170

Core M-5Y70

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1171

Celeron U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

99%

#1172

Celeron T1600

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

99%

#1173

Pro A12-8800B

MSRP: $400|Avg: $40

98%

#1175

Core i7-2637M

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

96%

#1176

Athlon PRO 3045B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $180

96%

#1177

Core 2 Duo SL9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

96%

#1178

Core 2 Duo T5600

MSRP: $241|Avg: N/A

95%

#1179

Pentium N3510

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

95%

#1180

Core i7-7Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $285

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom C3538

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

5440%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1027%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

913%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

705%

#266

EPYC 7C13

MSRP: $2000|Avg: $2000

100%

#267

Xeon Gold 6336Y

MSRP: $3245|Avg: N/A

99%

#268

Xeon w5-2565X

MSRP: $1389|Avg: $1389

99%

#269

Xeon Silver 4416+

MSRP: $1186|Avg: $1176

97%

#270

Xeon E-2176G

MSRP: $367|Avg: $405

97%

#389

Atom C3538

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#400

Xeon D-1537

MSRP: $470|Avg: $350

97%

#401

Xeon E3-1505M v6

MSRP: $434|Avg: N/A

97%

#402

Xeon E5-1630 v3

MSRP: $372|Avg: $299

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom C3538 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4: 2133, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core M-5Y31	Atom C3538
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-Y (2014) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Goldmont (2016−2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core M-5Y31 (2014) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core M-5Y31	Atom C3538
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core M-5Y31 Benchmark Check

Atom C3538 Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core M-5Y31 and Atom C3538

Core M-5Y31

The Core M-5Y31 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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-5Y31 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Atom C3538 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom C3538 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core M-5Y31 versus 2.1 GHz on the Atom C3538 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core M-5Y31 (base: 0.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core M-5Y31 uses the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture (14 nm), while the Atom C3538 uses Goldmont (2016−2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core M-5Y31 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-5Y31 vs 8 MB on the Atom C3538.

Feature	Core M-5Y31	Atom C3538
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+14%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	0.9 GHz	2.1 GHz+133%
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-5Y31 uses the FCBGA1234 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom C3538 uses FCBGA1310 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core M-5Y31	Atom C3538
Socket	FCBGA1234	FCBGA1310
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	256 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	12