Atom C3338 vs Core i3-330M
Atom C3338
Core i3-330M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Atom C3338 is positioned at rank 543 and the Core i3-330M is on rank 276, so the Core i3-330M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom C3338
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom C3338 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Goldmont (2016−2017) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom C3338 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Atom C3338 and Core i3-330M
Atom C3338
The Atom C3338 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 February 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $27.
Core i3-330M
The Core i3-330M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,032 points. Launch price was $49.
Processing Power
The Atom C3338 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Atom C3338 versus 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M — a 177.7% clock advantage for the Atom C3338 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Atom C3338 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-330M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3338 scores 1,028 against the Core i3-330M's 1,032 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-330M. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Atom C3338 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M.
| Feature | Atom C3338 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz+1592% | 0.13 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2.13 GHz+42% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB+33% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+1500% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Goldmont (2016−2017) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,028 | 1,032 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 317 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 689 |
Memory & Platform
The Atom C3338 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the Atom C3338 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-330M — the Atom C3338 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3338 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom C3338) vs 2 (Core i3-330M). PCIe lanes: 10 (Atom C3338) vs 16 (Core i3-330M) — the Core i3-330M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3338) and HM55,PM55,QM57 (Core i3-330M).
| Feature | Atom C3338 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1310 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-1866+33% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+1500% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 10 | 16+60% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3338) / VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M). The Core i3-330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)), while the Atom C3338 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Atom C3338 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x / EPT |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Budget |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Atom C3338 and Core i3-330M
