Athlon II N330 vs Core i7-920XM

Athlon II N330 vs Core i7-920XM Performance Spectrum

Athlon II N330

2 / 2

1,999

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-920XM

4 / 8

2,014

+0.8%

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 II N330 vs Core i7-920XM 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 II N330 vs Core i7-920XM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon II N330

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 55W, a 54W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,999 vs 2,014).
❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Core i7-920XM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-920XM

2009

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌5400% higher power demand at 55W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-920XM better than Athlon II N330?

Yes. Core i7-920XM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-920XM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% 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, Core i7-920XM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-920XM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-920XM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II N330 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on S1.

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

Athlon II N330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II N330 vs Core i7-920XM Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II N330

The Athlon II N330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,999 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-920XM

The Core i7-920XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $1,054.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II N330 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-920XM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-920XM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II N330 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-920XM — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-920XM. The Athlon II N330 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-920XM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II N330 scores 1,999 against the Core i7-920XM's 2,014 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-920XM.

Feature	Athlon II N330	Core i7-920XM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+39%
Base Clock	—	2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Champlain (2010−2011)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,999	2,014

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II N330 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-920XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Athlon II N330 versus 1333 on the Core i7-920XM — the Core i7-920XM supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II N330) vs 16 (Core i7-920XM) — the Core i7-920XM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: S1g4 (Athlon II N330) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-920XM).

Feature	Athlon II N330	Core i7-920XM
Socket	S1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1066	1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	8	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-920XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support true virtualization. Direct competitor: Athlon II N330 rivals Pentium P6100; Core i7-920XM rivals Core i7-2720QM.