Intel Atom C5125 vs Intel Core i3-9350KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent outcome: the Intel Atom C5125 wins every recorded Cinebench test against the Intel Core i3-9350KF. Across all six head-to-head comparisons, the Atom C5125 maintains a remarkably uniform advantage of roughly 15.5% over the i3-9350KF. This consistency across different Cinebench versions (R15, R20, and R23) and both single-core and multi-core workloads suggests a fundamental performance gap rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In multi-core tests, the Atom C5125 scores 739 in Cinebench R15 versus 640 for the i3-9350KF, a 15.5% lead. The gap persists in R20 multi-core at 3081 versus 2667 (15.5% ahead), and in R23 multi-core at 7336 versus 6352 (15.5% ahead). Single-core results tell the same story: the Atom C5125 posts 104 in R15 single-core versus 90, 434 in R20 single-core versus 376, and 1035 in R23 single-core versus 896. Each single-core win also lands at approximately 15.5%.

The i3-9350KF does hold one advantage in the database: it has additional benchmark entries for Geekbench, where it records 4098 multi-core and 1534 single-core. However, the Atom C5125 has no Geekbench results recorded, so no direct comparison exists for that test. The i3-9350KF’s average benchmark score stands at 2082, while the Atom C5125 averages 2122, placing the Atom about 1.9% higher in overall average. Both CPUs sit at the 46th percentile among all processors in the database, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite the head-to-head sweep.

When placed against their nearest rivals, the Atom C5125’s average score of 2122 is effectively tied with the Intel Core i7-1160G7 (2124, delta -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C (2127, delta -0.2%), and slightly ahead of the Intel Xeon E-2224G (2117, delta 0.2%). The i3-9350KF’s 2082 average aligns closely with the Intel Xeon W-2123 (2079, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (2086, delta -0.2%). These rival comparisons show both chips operating in the same performance neighborhood as their peers, but the direct head-to-head measurements give a decisive edge to the Atom C5125.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU performs better in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Atom C5125 scores 7336, which is 15.5% higher than the Intel Core i3-9350KF’s 6352.

Q: Are the single-core results any different from multi-core results?

A: No, the pattern is identical. In every single-core Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23), the Atom C5125 wins by approximately 15.5% over the i3-9350KF.

Q: Does the i3-9350KF have any benchmark where it beats the Atom C5125?

A: In the recorded head-to-head tests, the i3-9350KF wins zero of six comparisons. It does have Geekbench scores (4098 multi-core, 1534 single-core) that the Atom C5125 lacks, but no direct comparison exists for that test.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their closest rivals in average score?

A: The Atom C5125 (2122 average) is within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-1160G7 (2124) and AMD Ryzen 5 7520C (2127). The i3-9350KF (2082 average) is within 0.3% of the Intel Xeon W-2123 (2079) and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (2086).

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each CPU?

A: Both the Intel Atom C5125 and the Intel Core i3-9350KF rank at the 46th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Does the i3-9350KF have a higher boost clock?

A: Yes, the i3-9350KF has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the Atom C5125 has no recorded boost clock. However, this does not translate into a benchmark win for the i3.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design lineages. The Intel Atom C5125 uses the Parker Ridge platform with Tremont architecture, built on a 10 nm process node. It is a server/workstation part with 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i3-9350KF belongs to the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, uses the Coffee Lake architecture, and is fabricated on a 14 nm process. It is a desktop part with 4 cores and 4 threads.

Cache organization differs substantially. The Atom C5125 provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 4.5 MB of L2 cache per module, with no L3 cache listed. The i3-9350KF has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the i3 has a larger total secondary cache pool per core, but the Atom’s additional cores likely compensate in threaded workloads.

Memory bandwidth favors the Atom C5125, which supports dual-channel DDR4 with a rated bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The i3-9350KF also supports dual-channel DDR4 but at 38.4 GB/s, which is about 22% lower. Both CPUs support ECC memory, a notable feature for the desktop-oriented i3. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), so platform I/O capabilities are equivalent in that regard.

The process node difference (10 nm vs 14 nm) and the core count difference (8 vs 4) are the primary architectural drivers behind the benchmark results. The Atom C5125’s smaller process node allows more cores within its 50 W TDP, while the i3-9350KF’s 91 W TDP reflects its higher clock speeds. The i3-9350KF has a die size of 126 mm², while the Atom’s die size is not recorded. The Atom C5125 launched on 2022-06-05, while the i3-9350KF released on 2019-01-07, making the Atom a newer design by several years.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Atom C5125 outperforms the Intel Core i3-9350KF across all comparable benchmarks. The Atom’s 15.5% lead in every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, is substantial and uniform. The Atom also holds a higher average benchmark score (2122 versus 2082) and a higher memory bandwidth rating (46.9 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s).

For a user choosing between these two, the Atom C5125 is the stronger performer in rendering and CPU-bound tasks as measured by Cinebench. The i3-9350KF does not win a single head-to-head test. Its only distinguishing feature is the availability of Geekbench scores, which do not affect the comparison since the Atom lacks corresponding results.

However, the i3-9350KF is not without merits. It has a higher base clock (4.00 GHz versus 2.80 GHz) and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz that the Atom entirely lacks. It also has a larger L3 cache (8 MB shared versus none) and a smaller die size (126 mm² versus not recorded). These factors could matter for latency-sensitive workloads or scenarios where clock speed dominates, but the recorded Cinebench data does not reflect such an advantage.

The production status differs: the Atom C5125 is marked as Active, while the i3-9350KF is End-of-life. This suggests the Atom is the more current product with ongoing availability. The Atom also targets the server/workstation segment, while the i3 is a desktop part.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Atom C5125 | Intel Core i3-9350KF |

|---------------|------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None recorded | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 50 W | 91 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2106 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Codename | Parker Ridge | Coffee Lake |

| Generation | Atom (Tremont) | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 126 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 4.5 MB (per module) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | None recorded | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 46.9 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2022-06-05 | 2019-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $335 | $173 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Atom C5125 wins in every benchmark category that the database records for both CPUs. Its 15.5% advantage applies equally to single-core and multi-core Cinebench workloads, meaning it is the better choice for both lightly threaded and heavily threaded tasks. The Atom also excels in memory bandwidth, with a 22% higher rated rate (46.9 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s), which benefits data-intensive applications. Its 8 cores versus 4 cores make it the logical pick for parallel workloads such as rendering, compilation, and server tasks. The Atom’s Active production status and newer release date (2022 versus 2019) make it the more forward-looking option.

The Intel Core i3-9350KF, despite losing all benchmark comparisons, retains a few distinct advantages. Its 4.00 GHz base clock and 4.60 GHz boost clock are significantly higher than the Atom’s 2.80 GHz base, which could benefit workloads that are highly sensitive to clock speed rather than core count. The 8 MB shared L3 cache provides a larger on-chip cache pool, potentially reducing latency for repetitive tasks. The i3 also has a lower launch MSRP ($173 versus $335) and a smaller die size, though these do not appear in the benchmark results. For a desktop user with legacy motherboard compatibility (Socket 1151) or who needs high clock speeds for single-threaded legacy applications, the i3 may still hold practical appeal. However, the measured data gives the Atom C5125 the clear performance victory.