A4-4020 vs Core i3-330E

A4-4020 vs Core i3-330E Performance Spectrum

A4-4020

2 / 2

1,269

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-330E

2 / 4

1,260

0.0%

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.

A4-4020 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.

A4-4020 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.

A4-4020

2014

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7480D, while Core i3-330E needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-330E.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i3-330E

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,260 vs 1,269).
❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while A4-4020 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-4020 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A4-4020.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-4020 better than Core i3-330E?

Yes. A4-4020 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A4-4020 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-4020 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A4-4020 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. A4-4020 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-330E only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 2.7% in the shared gaming data.

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

A4-4020 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-4020 vs Core i3-330E Technical Specifications

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

A4-4020

The A4-4020 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,269 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.

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Processing Power

The A4-4020 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A4-4020 versus 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E — a 196.5% clock advantage for the A4-4020 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The A4-4020 uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-330E uses Westmere (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A4-4020 scores 1,269 against the Core i3-330E's 1,260 — a 0.7% lead for the A4-4020.

Feature	A4-4020	Core i3-330E
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+11233%	0.03 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+50%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+100%	512 kB
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Westmere (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,269	1,260
Geekbench 6 Single	341	—

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Memory & Platform

The A4-4020 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-330E uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A4-4020	Core i3-330E
Socket	FM2	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-4020) / not specified (Core i3-330E). The A4-4020 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7480D), while the Core i3-330E requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-4020 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-4020 rivals Pentium G3220.