Core 2 Duo E4600 vs Core i3-2330M
Core 2 Duo E4600
Core i3-2330M
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 Core 2 Duo E4600 is positioned at rank 1006 and the Core i3-2330M is on rank 679, so the Core i3-2330M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4600
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2330M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4600 | Core i3-2330M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9.6) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4600 | Core i3-2330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9.6) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Core 2 Duo E4600 and Core i3-2330M
Core 2 Duo E4600
The Core 2 Duo E4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,235 points. Launch price was $249.
Core i3-2330M
The Core i3-2330M 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: 1,248 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E4600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2330M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4600 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330M — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E4600 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4600 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-2330M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4600 scores 1,235 against the Core i3-2330M's 1,248 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-2330M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E4600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2330M.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4600 | Core i3-2330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz+9% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+9% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Allendale (2006−2009) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,235 | 1,248+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E4600 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-2330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Duo E4600 versus 1333 on the Core i3-2330M — the Core i3-2330M supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo E4600) vs 16 (Core i3-2330M) — the Core i3-2330M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Q963,P35,G31 (Core 2 Duo E4600) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i3-2330M).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4600 | Core i3-2330M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | 1333+66550% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+104857500% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo E4600) / true (Core i3-2330M). The Core i3-2330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo E4600 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-2330M rivals AMD A6-3400M.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4600 | Core i3-2330M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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