C-30 vs Pentium III 1266S
C-30
Pentium III 1266S
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 C-30 is positioned at rank 1226 and the Pentium III 1266S is on rank 1140, so the Pentium III 1266S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar C-30
Performance Per Dollar Pentium III 1266S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | C-30 | Pentium III 1266S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ontario (2011−2012) / 40 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Tualatin (2000−2002) / 130 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | C-30 | Pentium III 1266S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+28%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
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 C-30 and Pentium III 1266S
C-30
The C-30 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 201 points. Launch price was $69.
Pentium III 1266S
The Pentium III 1266S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Tualatin (2000−2002) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.27 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA370. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 210 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the C-30 and Pentium III 1266S share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the C-30 versus 1.27 GHz on the Pentium III 1266S — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Pentium III 1266S. The C-30 uses the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture (40 nm), while the Pentium III 1266S uses Tualatin (2000−2002) (130 nm). In PassMark, the C-30 scores 201 against the Pentium III 1266S's 210 — a 4.4% lead for the Pentium III 1266S. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | C-30 | Pentium III 1266S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 1.2 GHz | 1.27 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 40 nm-69% | 130 nm |
| Architecture | Ontario (2011−2012) | Tualatin (2000−2002) |
| PassMark | 201 | 210+4% |
Memory & Platform
The C-30 uses the FT1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium III 1266S uses PGA370 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | C-30 | Pentium III 1266S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FT1 | PGA370 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 1 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 4 | — |
Advanced Features
The C-30 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6250), while the Pentium III 1266S requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | C-30 | Pentium III 1266S |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6250 | — |
Value Analysis
The C-30 launched at $50 MSRP, while the Pentium III 1266S debuted at $369. At current prices ($15 vs $20), the C-30 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the C-30 delivers 13.4 pts/$ vs 10.5 pts/$ for the Pentium III 1266S — making the C-30 the 24.3% better value option.
| Feature | C-30 | Pentium III 1266S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50-86% | $369 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-25% | $20 |
| Performance per Dollar | 13.4+28% | 10.5 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2001 |
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