CPU Comparison

The Intel Atom C5315 and Intel Core i5-3470T represent two very different philosophies from the same manufacturer: one is a modern, low-power server chip built on a 10 nm process, while the other is a decade-old desktop processor on 22 nm. Despite their divergent origins, the benchmark data reveals a surprisingly tight competition, with the older Core i5 taking every single head-to-head win by a razor-thin margin.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding is that the Intel Core i5-3470T wins all five shared Cinebench tests, but never by more than 0.7%. In the multicore Cinebench R15 test, the i5-3470T scores 256 against the Atom C5315's 255, a delta of -0.4%. That is a one-point difference, essentially a statistical tie, yet it still counts as a win for the older chip. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore: 1069 for the i5-3470T versus 1063 for the Atom C5315, a 0.6% gap. These margins are so small that they fall well within normal run-to-run variation, but the consistency of the result across all tests suggests the i5-3470T has a genuine, if tiny, edge.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3470T scores 150 versus 149 for the Atom C5315, a 0.7% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 359 versus 357, a 0.6% gap. The i5-3470T also has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz compared to the Atom's fixed 2.40 GHz, which likely explains these narrow single-threaded victories. However, the Atom C5315's 4 cores versus the i5-3470T's 2 cores do not translate into a multicore advantage; in fact, the i5-3470T still edges ahead in multicore workloads. This suggests the Atom's Tremont architecture does not scale as efficiently as the older Ivy Bridge design.

The average benchmark scores further confirm this near-parity. The Atom C5315 averages 871 points across its benchmarks, while the i5-3470T averages 863 points. Interestingly, the Atom has a higher average score despite losing every head-to-head test because it lacks the Geekbench results that drag the i5-3470T down, the i5-3470T scores 1102 in Geekbench multicore and 560 in single-core, which are lower than its Cinebench scores and pull its average lower. Both chips sit at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals are similarly matched. The Atom C5315 is within 0.7% of the AMD Athlon PRO 3045B and Intel Core i3-5157U, while the i5-3470T is within 0.4% of the Intel Core i7-4500U and AMD A8-7650K.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows the i5-3470T wins every benchmark where both are tested, but the margins are so small that neither chip has a meaningful performance advantage in Cinebench workloads. The real differentiators lie elsewhere. The Atom C5315 wins on platform features: it supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, ECC memory, and a PCIe Gen 3 connection with 8 lanes. These features matter for server and workstation use, where data integrity and memory throughput are critical. The i5-3470T, by contrast, supports DDR3 with no listed bandwidth, no ECC, and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

The i5-3470T wins on integrated graphics, featuring Intel HD 2500, while the Atom C5315 has no integrated GPU. This makes the i5-3470T usable in a desktop without a discrete graphics card, which is a practical advantage for basic office or media systems. The i5-3470T also has a higher base clock (2.90 GHz versus 2.40 GHz) and a boost clock up to 3.60 GHz, giving it an edge in bursty, lightly threaded tasks. However, the Atom C5315 wins on power efficiency per core, if not per socket, the Atom has a 38 W TDP for 4 cores, while the i5-3470T has a 35 W TDP for 2 cores. The Atom also has a much larger L2 cache at 4.5 MB per module, versus 256 KB per core for the i5-3470T.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is stark. The Atom C5315 is built on Intel's 10 nm process under the "Parker Ridge" codename, using the Tremont microarchitecture. It has 4 cores and 4 threads with no boost clock, running at a fixed 2.40 GHz. Its cache layout is unusual: 64 KB of L1 per core, but a massive 4.5 MB of L2 per module, which is a shared design. The i5-3470T uses the much older 22 nm Ivy Bridge architecture, with 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. It has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache, a more conventional hierarchy.

The process node difference is significant: 10 nm versus 22 nm. This explains why the Atom can pack 4 cores into a 38 W TDP, while the i5-3470T with 2 cores still draws 35 W. The Atom also has a smaller die footprint due to the newer node, though no die size is listed for it, while the i5-3470T is listed at 93.6 mm². The Atom's memory controller supports DDR4, which is a generational leap over the i5-3470T's DDR3 support. ECC memory is another major split, the Atom supports it, the i5-3470T does not, reflecting their different market segments (Server/Workstation versus Desktop).

The release dates also differ by a decade: the Atom C5315 launched in June 2022, while the i5-3470T launched in May 2012. This means the Atom has a modern feature set, including part number SRL3Y and an active production status, while the i5-3470T's production status is not listed. The i5-3470T has no launch MSRP listed, while the Atom has a launch MSRP of $213.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T wins all single-core Cinebench tests, scoring 150 in R20 and 359 in R23, versus 149 and 357 for the Atom C5315. The delta is consistently around -0.6% to -0.7%, indicating a narrow but repeatable advantage.

Q: Does the Atom's 4-core design beat the i5-3470T's 2-core design in multicore tests?

A: No. Despite having twice the physical cores, the Atom C5315 loses every multicore Cinebench test. The i5-3470T scores 256 in R15 and 2547 in R23, versus 255 and 2533 for the Atom, with deltas of -0.4% and -0.5% respectively.

Q: Can the Atom C5315 use ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Atom C5315 supports ECC memory, which is a key feature for its server/workstation market segment. The i5-3470T does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i5-3470T includes Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics, while the Atom C5315 has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A). This makes the i5-3470T suitable for a build without a discrete GPU.

Q: How do these processors compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The Atom C5315 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 871, versus 863 for the i5-3470T. However, this is partly because the i5-3470T has additional Geekbench results (1102 multicore, 560 single-core) that lower its average, while the Atom only has Cinebench scores.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Atom C5315 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-3470T supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bus, but no bandwidth figure is listed.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Atom C5315 | Intel Core i5-3470T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 38 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2106 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Codename | Parker Ridge | Ivy Bridge |

| Architecture | Atom (Tremont) | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | Not listed | 93.6 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | None | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 8 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2022-06-05 | 2012-05-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $213 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRL3Y | SR0RJ |

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture of near-parity in raw compute, but divergent suitability for different use cases. If a buyer prioritizes pure Cinebench performance, the i5-3470T wins every test, yet the margins are so slim (0.4% to 0.7%) that they are effectively irrelevant for real-world workloads. The i5-3470T is the better choice for a desktop system where integrated graphics are needed, where DDR3 memory is already available, or where the lower 35 W TDP and 16 PCIe lanes offer flexibility. Its 3 MB L3 cache and boost clock up to 3.60 GHz give it an edge in bursty, lightly threaded applications.

The Atom C5315, on the other hand, is the better choice for server or workstation deployments where ECC memory is non-negotiable, where DDR4 bandwidth (38.4 GB/s) matters, and where the 10 nm process and 4-core design provide a more modern foundation. Its larger L2 cache (4.5 MB per module) may help with certain data-heavy workloads, and its active production status means ongoing availability. The i5-3470T, from 2012, is a legacy part.

Critically, the data suggests that the Atom C5315 does not deliver the multicore advantage its core count implies, it loses to a 2-core chip from a decade earlier. This raises a question: is the Tremont architecture simply too weak for demanding parallel workloads, or does the 38 W TDP limit its potential? The 23rd percentile ranking for both chips indicates neither is a performance powerhouse, but the i5-3470T's ability to match a modern 4-core Atom while drawing less power (35 W versus 38 W) reflects the efficiency of its older design. Ultimately, the choice comes down to platform features, not raw speed, and for that, the Atom C5315 is the more future-proof investment.