Atom N2800 vs Core i3-2330E

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.

Atom N2800 vs Core i3-2330E 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.

Atom N2800 vs Core i3-2330E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom N2800

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $178 less on MSRP ($47 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 380.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.9 vs 8.1 PassMark/$ ($47 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 7W instead of 35W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i3-2330E

2011

Why buy it

✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,823 vs 1,829).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.1 vs 38.9 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $47 MSRP).
❌400% higher power demand at 35W vs 7W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom N2800 better than Core i3-2330E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2330E is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom N2800 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom N2800 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom N2800 is the better buy right now. Atom N2800 comes in $178 cheaper on MSRP at $47 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-2330E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 380.3% better value on MSRP (38.9 vs 8.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Atom N2800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom N2800 vs Core i3-2330E Technical Specifications

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

Atom N2800

The Atom N2800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 6.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,829 points. Launch price was $47.

Core i3-2330E

The Core i3-2330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,823 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Atom N2800 and Core i3-2330E share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Atom N2800 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330E — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-2330E (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom N2800 uses the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-2330E uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N2800 scores 1,829 against the Core i3-2330E's 1,823 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom N2800. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N2800 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2330E.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2330E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.87 GHz	2.2 GHz+18%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.2 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Cedarview-M (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,829	1,823

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom N2800 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2330E uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Atom N2800 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2330E — the Core i3-2330E supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2330E supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N2800) vs 2 (Core i3-2330E). PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom N2800) vs 16 (Core i3-2330E) — the Core i3-2330E offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2330E
Socket	FCBGA559	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	16 GB+300%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N2800) / VT-x (Core i3-2330E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3650 (Atom N2800) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2330E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2330E targets Embedded.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2330E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel GMA 3650	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom N2800 was priced at $47, while the Core i3-2330E came in at $225. On launch pricing ($47 vs $225), Atom N2800 was $178 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom N2800 delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 8.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-2330E — making the Atom N2800 the 131.1% better value option.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i3-2330E
MSRP	$47-79%	$225
Performance per Dollar	38.9+380%	8.1
Release Date	2011	2011

Search Atom N2800 on Amazon

Search Core i3-2330E on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.