A4-1250 vs Core i3-330E

A4-1250 vs Core i3-330E Performance Spectrum

A4-1250

2 / 2

1,258

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-330E

2 / 4

1,260

+0.2%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A4-1250 vs Core i3-330E FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A4-1250 vs Core i3-330E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A4-1250

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $77 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅Delivers 76.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.6 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅Draws 8W instead of 35W, a 27W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8210, while Core i3-330E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,258 vs 1,260).

Core i3-330E

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 12.6 PassMark/$ ($177 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌337.5% higher power demand at 35W vs 8W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-1250 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-1250 better than Core i3-330E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A4-1250 is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-330E pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-330E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

A4-1250 is the better buy right now. A4-1250 comes in $77 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-330E is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 76.7% better value on MSRP (12.6 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A4-1250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A4-1250 vs Core i3-330E Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A4-1250

The A4-1250 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Temash (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,258 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i3-330E

The Core i3-330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,260 points. Launch price was $177.

⚡

Processing Power

The A4-1250 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1 GHz on the A4-1250 versus 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E — a 188.3% clock advantage for the A4-1250. The A4-1250 uses the Temash (2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-330E uses Westmere (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A4-1250 scores 1,258 against the Core i3-330E's 1,260 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-330E. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A4-1250 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-330E.

Feature	A4-1250	Core i3-330E
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1 GHz+3233%	0.03 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512 kB
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Temash (2013)	Westmere (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,258	1,260
Geekbench 6 Single	111	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	188	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A4-1250 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-330E uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A4-1250	Core i3-330E
Socket	FT3	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L 1333 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A4-1250) / not specified (Core i3-330E). The A4-1250 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8210), while the Core i3-330E requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-1250 targets Tablet. Direct competitor: A4-1250 rivals Atom Z3740.

Feature	A4-1250	Core i3-330E
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 8210	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—
Target Use	Tablet	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A4-1250 was priced at $100, while the Core i3-330E came in at $177. On launch pricing ($100 vs $177), A4-1250 was $77 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A4-1250 delivers 12.6 pts/$ vs 7.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-330E — making the A4-1250 the 55.4% better value option.

Feature	A4-1250	Core i3-330E
MSRP	$100-44%	$177
Performance per Dollar	12.6+77%	7.1
Release Date	2013	2010

Search A4-1250 on Amazon

Search Core i3-330E on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.