Core 2 Duo E8235 vs Core i3-330M

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330M

#82

Core i7-11700B

MSRP: $323|Avg: $311

97%

#264

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

426%

#265

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

420%

#266

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

386%

#267

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

384%

#268

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

380%

#270

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

367%

#271

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

352%

#272

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

352%

#273

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

342%

#276

Core i3-330M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#277

Core 2 Extreme X9100

MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo E8235 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-330M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.2% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8235	Core i3-330M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8235	Core i3-330M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core 2 Duo E8235 Benchmark Check

Core i3-330M Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8235 and Core i3-330M

Core 2 Duo E8235

The Core 2 Duo E8235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $249.

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 Core 2 Duo E8235 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8235 versus 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M — a 182.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8235 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8235 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-330M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8235 scores 1,020 against the Core i3-330M's 1,032 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-330M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8235	Core i3-330M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+2054%	0.13 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+31%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,020	1,032+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	317
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	689

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8235 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8235	Core i3-330M
Socket	P	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo E8235) / VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M). The Core i3-330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)), while the Core 2 Duo E8235 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.