Intel Atom P6942-3
Also called intel atom p6942-3, atom p6942-3, p6942-3, atom-p6942-3
Intel Atom P server processor on Grand Ridge, with 16 cores and 16 threads and 16384 KB L2, 16 MB L3 at 66 W TDP addressing up to 128 GB.
What you need to know
Still a capable Atom P desktop chip.
Intel Atom P6942-3 launched in January 1, 2026., It has 16 cores and 16 threads on Grand Ridge, dropping into the FCBGA2147 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.
- Still good?
- Yes, for most work this class is sold for
- Product age
- Less than a year old
- Upgrade pressure
- Low
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Excellent. Excellent for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
- Product age 0 years old
- Current generation. Launched January 1, 2026. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Low. Upgrade pressure is low unless you need a different platform feature.
Where does it sit?
Grand Ridge sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Poor fit
Not the job. Use a desktop or workstation part if games are the point.
Productivity: Excellent
16 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Good
16 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Excellent
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Good
Rated 66 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not if this chip already matches your work.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Atom P6942-3 is built on Grand Ridge.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Atom P |
| Architecture | Grand Ridge |
| Generation | Intel Atom Processor P Series |
| Segment | Server |
Cores and threads
Intel Atom P6942-3 has 16 cores and 16 threads.
| Cores | 16 |
|---|---|
| E-cores | 16 |
| Threads | 16 |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 2.2 GHz.
| Base frequency | 2.2 GHz |
|---|
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 16 MB L3.
| L2 cache | 16384 KB |
|---|---|
| L3 cache | 16 MB |
| Total cache | 32 MB |
Memory
Intel Atom P6942-3 addresses 128 GB across 2 memory channels.
| Supported types | DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Max capacity | 128 GB |
| Channels | 2 |
Package and power
Intel Atom P6942-3 uses the FCBGA2147 socket and a 66 W TDP.
| Socket | FCBGA2147 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 66 W |
| PCIe | 29 lanes |
Market
Intel Atom P6942-3 launched January 1, 2026.
| Launch date | January 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Model | P6942-3 |
Features
Intel Atom P6942-3 records 1 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | AVX2 |
|---|---|
| Security | Boot GuardHardware RNG |
| Virtualization | VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
Compatibility
| Socket | FCBGA2147 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | DDR5, up to 128 GB |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.
Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.
No post after a CPU swap
Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
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