Name: Intel Atom C3850
Brand: Intel

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Atom C3850

Overall score

6.8

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.

Platform

6.7

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel

Processor type

What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.

When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

CPU socket

What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.

When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

Chipset

What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.

When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

N/A

CPU architecture

What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.

When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

Performance

7.1

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N. of physical cores

What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.

When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

CPU threads

What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.

When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

Threads per core

What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.

When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

CPU boost clock speed

What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.

When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

CPU base clock speed

What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.

When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Cache & Architecture

6.3

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Semiconductor size

What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.

When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

Foundry

What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.

When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

L3 cache

What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.

When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

L2 cache

What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.

When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

L1 cache

What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.

When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

Memory & PCIe

6.1

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DDR memory version

What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.

When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

Maximum memory speed

What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.

When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.

When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A

Maximum memory capacity

What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

Integrated Graphics

3.4

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Integrated graphics

What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.

When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

Integrated GPU model

What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.

When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Integrated GPU execution units

What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.

When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

N/A

Integrated GPU base frequency

What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.

When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

Integrated media encoders/decoders

What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.

When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

N/A

Power & Thermal

6.7

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TDP (Thermal design power)

What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.

When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

Base power (PL1)

What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.

When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

Boost power (PL2)

What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.

When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

Tau (power duration limit)

What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.

When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

N/A

Configurable TDP

What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.

When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

Intel Atom C3850 vs the average processor

Why is Intel Atom C3850 better than the average processor?

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4.8x larger L2 cache
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=6 MB
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.12 MB vs 2.5 MB
6 more CPU cores
Intel Atom C3850 has more CPU cores than the average processor (12 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 8+
Intel Atom C3850 has more CPU cores than the average processor (12 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.12 vs 6
4x more memory capacity
Intel Atom C3850 has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (256 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=128 GB
Intel Atom C3850 has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (256 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.256 GB vs 64 GB
22 °C lower CPU temperature
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (78 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
What it is: The reported operating temperature of the processor.
When it matters: When you monitor thermals, cooling, or system stability.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <100 °C
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (78 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.78 °C vs 100 °C
23% better single-core performance
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,054 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >3200
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,054 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.3,054 vs 2,483
2x more L2 per core
Intel Atom C3850 has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=1 MB/core
Intel Atom C3850 has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
44.4% lower base power
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <30 W
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.25 W vs 45 W
Supports ECC memory
Intel Atom C3850 supports ECC memory, the average processor does not.
What it is: Can work with ECC memory, which helps detect and correct certain memory errors on supported platforms.
When it matters: When long-term stability, uptime, or data integrity matter more than a basic consumer-style setup.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Atom C3850 supports ECC memory, the average processor does not.
Higher-end processor class
Intel Atom C3850 belongs to a higher-end processor class than the average processor (server vs mobile).
6 more CPU cores
Intel Atom C3850 has more CPU cores than the average processor (12 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
23% better single-core performance
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,054 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
4 more CPU threads
Intel Atom C3850 has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
4.8x larger L2 cache
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
2x more L2 per core
Intel Atom C3850 has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
75% larger L1 cache
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (672 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
More advanced microarchitecture
Intel Atom C3850 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Denverton vs Kaby Lake).
50% larger L3 cache
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
4x more memory capacity
Intel Atom C3850 has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (256 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
Supports ECC memory
Intel Atom C3850 supports ECC memory, the average processor does not.
Flexible PCIe bifurcation
Intel Atom C3850 supports more flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x16, x8/x8, x4/x4/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8).
22 °C lower CPU temperature
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (78 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
44.4% lower base power
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
51.2% lower boost power
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (31.3 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
44.4% lower TDP
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower TDP than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Why is Intel Atom C3850 worse than the average processor?

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Narrower instruction support
Intel Atom C3850 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
Older CPU socket
Intel Atom C3850 uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1310 vs FP2).
3 year/s older release date
Intel Atom C3850 has an older release date than the average processor (2017 vs 2020).
No crypto acceleration
Intel Atom C3850 does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
44.2% lower boost clock
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.4 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
No multithreading support
Intel Atom C3850 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
1 fewer threads per core
Intel Atom C3850 has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
7 lower clock multiplier
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (21 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
16.7% larger process node
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
18.2% lower memory speed
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,400 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
No integrated graphics
Intel Atom C3850 does not include integrated graphics, the average processor does.
No configurable TDP
Intel Atom C3850 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
44.2% lower boost clock
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.4 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >4.7 GHz
Intel Atom C3850 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.4 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.2.4 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
No multithreading support
Intel Atom C3850 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
What it is: Lets each physical core run more than one thread at the same time, such as with Hyper-Threading or SMT.
When it matters: When multitasking, rendering, compiling, virtualization, or other thread-heavy work benefits from more total processing threads.
Importance: HIGH
Intel Atom C3850 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
Narrower instruction support
Intel Atom C3850 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Atom C3850 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
16.7% larger process node
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <10 nm
Intel Atom C3850 has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
No configurable TDP
Intel Atom C3850 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.
Importance: LOW
Intel Atom C3850 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
Older CPU socket
Intel Atom C3850 uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1310 vs FP2).
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.
Importance: HIGH
Intel Atom C3850 uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1310 vs FP2).FCBGA1310 vs FP2
No integrated graphics
Intel Atom C3850 does not include integrated graphics, the average processor does.
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.
Importance: HIGH
Intel Atom C3850 does not include integrated graphics, the average processor does.
3 year/s older release date
Intel Atom C3850 has an older release date than the average processor (2017 vs 2020).
What it is: The launch date of the processor.
When it matters: When you want a newer platform or longer expected support life.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2022
Intel Atom C3850 has an older release date than the average processor (2017 vs 2020).2017 vs 2020

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Atom C3850?

Efficient multi-threaded performance for server tasks thanks to its 12 physical cores.
Low power consumption (25W TDP), making it ideal for always-on systems like file servers.
Supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in storage and enterprise environments.
High memory capacity support for its class, allowing up to 256GB of RAM.
Excellent for headless Linux machines, firewalls (CPE), and basic virtualization (TrueNAS/VMs).

What customers dislike about Intel Atom C3850?

Weak single-core performance with a low base frequency of 2.1 GHz and limited 2.4 GHz turbo.
Lacks integrated graphics, requiring a separate GPU or a motherboard with built-in VGA for display.
Poor floating-point (FPU) performance, which can lag significantly in compute-heavy applications.
Not suitable for modern gaming or heavy productivity tasks compared to Core i3/i5 alternatives.
Older architecture (14nm) and PCIe 3.0 support are outclassed by newer 10nm or 7nm processors with PCIe 4.0/5.0.

Intel Atom C3850 Review | 78 Data compared

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Technical Specifications of processor Intel Atom C3850

Intel Atom C3850 vs the average processor

Why is Intel Atom C3850 better than the average processor?

Why is Intel Atom C3850 worse than the average processor?

Graphic comparison of Intel Atom C3850 and other processors

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Atom C3850?

What customers dislike about Intel Atom C3850?

Best alternatives

Compare Intel Atom C3850 with other processors