Athlon 200GE vs Core i5-3330

AMD

Athlon 200GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-3330

4 Cores4 Thrd77 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Athlon 200GE vs Core i5-3330 Performance Spectrum

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.

Athlon 200GE vs Core i5-3330 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.

Athlon 200GE vs Core i5-3330: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 200GE

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $127 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • Delivers 231.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 74.6 vs 22.5 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 77W, a 42W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-3330

2012

Why buy it

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon 200GE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (4,100 vs 4,105).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.5 vs 74.6 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
  • 120% higher power demand at 77W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 200GE better than Core i5-3330?
Yes. Athlon 200GE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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, Athlon 200GE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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, Athlon 200GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon 200GE is the better buy right now. Athlon 200GE comes in $127 cheaper on MSRP at $55 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 231.3% better value on MSRP (74.6 vs 22.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon 200GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon 200GE vs Core i5-3330 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon 200GE

The Athlon 200GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,105 points. Launch price was $55.

Intel

Core i5-3330

The Core i5-3330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,100 points. Launch price was $360.

Processing Power

The Athlon 200GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3330 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon 200GE versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Athlon 200GE uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3330 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 200GE scores 4,105 against the Core i5-3330's 4,100 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon 200GE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 878 vs 600, a 37.6% lead for the Athlon 200GE that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 200GE vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330.

FeatureAthlon 200GECore i5-3330
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.2 GHz+7%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
4,105
4,100
Cinebench R23 Multi
302
Geekbench 6 Single
878+46%
600
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,838
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 200GE uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3330 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Athlon 200GE versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3330 — the Athlon 200GE supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 200GE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 200GE) vs 16 (Core i5-3330) — the Core i5-3330 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM4 (Athlon 200GE) and H61,B75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i5-3330).

FeatureAthlon 200GECore i5-3330
Socket
AM4
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666+67%
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+100%
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
16+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon 200GE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon 200GE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3330). Both include integrated graphics Radeon Vega 3 (Athlon 200GE) and HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3330) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 200GE targets Budget, Core i5-3330 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon 200GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400; Core i5-3330 rivals FX-6300.

FeatureAthlon 200GECore i5-3330
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 3
HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Budget
Legacy Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 200GE was priced at $55, while the Core i5-3330 came in at $182. On launch pricing ($55 vs $182), Athlon 200GE was $127 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 200GE delivers 74.6 pts/$ vs 22.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-3330 — making the Athlon 200GE the 107.3% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 200GECore i5-3330
MSRP
$55-70%
$182
Performance per Dollar
74.6+232%
22.5
Release Date
2018
2012

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