Atom C3538 vs i3-4170

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Aggregate performance score

Core i3-4170
2014
2 cores / 4 threads, 54 Watt
2.28
+91.6%
Atom C3538
2017
4 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
1.19

Core i3-4170 outperforms Atom C3538 by an impressive 92% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking18202361
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.550.04
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Seriesno dataIntel Atom
Power efficiency4.007.51
Architecture codenameHaswell (2013−2015)Goldmont (2016−2017)
Release date1 May 2014 (10 years ago)15 August 2017 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$117$75

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i3-4170 has 1275% better value for money than Atom C3538.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.7 GHz2.1 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz2.1 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
Multiplierno data21
L1 cache64 KB (per core)224 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)8 MB
L3 cache3 MB (shared)8 MB
Chip lithography22 nm14 nm
Die size177 mm2no data
Maximum core temperatureno data87 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1150FCBGA1310
Power consumption (TDP)54 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2no data
AES-NI++
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
QuickAssistno data+
Turbo Boost Technology--
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-

Security technologies

Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB++
Secure Bootno data+
Secure Key++
SGXno data-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600DDR4: 2133
Maximum memory size32 GB256 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s29.871 GB/s
ECC memory support++

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 4400no data
Max video memory2 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data
VGA+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over VGA1920x1200@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX11.1/12no data
OpenGL4.3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538.

PCIe versionUp to 3.03
PCI Express lanes1612
USB revisionno data3
Total number of SATA portsno data12
Max number of SATA 6 Gb/s Portsno data12
Number of USB portsno data8
Integrated LANno data2x10/2.5/1 GBE + 2x2.5/1 GBE

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-4170 2.28
+91.6%
Atom C3538 1.19

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-4170 3626
+92%
Atom C3538 1889

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i3-4170 1125
+341%
Atom C3538 255

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i3-4170 2167
+142%
Atom C3538 895

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.28 1.19
Recency 1 May 2014 15 August 2017
Physical cores 2 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 54 Watt 15 Watt

i3-4170 has a 91.6% higher aggregate performance score.

Atom C3538, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 years, 100% more physical cores, a 57.1% more advanced lithography process, and 260% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-4170 is our recommended choice as it beats the Atom C3538 in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-4170 is a desktop processor while Atom C3538 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-4170 and Atom C3538, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i3-4170
Core i3-4170
Intel Atom C3538
Atom C3538

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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