Athlon X2 450 vs Core i3-330UM

Athlon X2 450 vs Core i3-330UM Performance Spectrum

Athlon X2 450

2 / 2

1,295

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-330UM

2 / 4

1,297

+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.

Athlon X2 450 vs Core i3-330UM 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 X2 450 vs Core i3-330UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon X2 450

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i3-330UM.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $60 MSRP, while Core i3-330UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-330UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-330UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Athlon X2 450 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X2 450 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 800).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X2 450.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 450 better than Core i3-330UM?

Yes. Athlon X2 450 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 33.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 X2 450 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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 X2 450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 33.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon X2 450 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 450 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $60 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 X2 450 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.

Athlon X2 450 vs Core i3-330UM Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X2 450

The Athlon X2 450 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,295 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-330UM

The Core i3-330UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,297 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X2 450 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X2 450 versus 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM — a 190% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 450 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Athlon X2 450 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-330UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 450 scores 1,295 against the Core i3-330UM's 1,297 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-330UM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 450 vs 300, a 40% lead for the Athlon X2 450 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 800 vs 600 (28.6% advantage for the Athlon X2 450).

Feature	Athlon X2 450	Core i3-330UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3800%	0.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+192%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+100%	512 kB
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,295	1,297
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	450+50%	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	800+33%	600

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 450 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-330UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X2 450 versus DDR3-800 on the Core i3-330UM — the Athlon X2 450 supports 133.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 450 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A88X,A78,A68H (Athlon X2 450) and HM55 (Core i3-330UM).

Feature	Athlon X2 450	Core i3-330UM
Socket	FM2+	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+133%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X2 450) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-330UM). The Core i3-330UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Athlon X2 450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 450 targets Basic Desktop, Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Athlon X2 450 rivals Core i3-3220; Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300.