Core 2 Solo SU3300
VS
Core i3-2330M

Core 2 Solo SU3300 vs Core i3-2330M

Intel

Core 2 Solo SU3300

1 Cores1 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Core i3-2330M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2011

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 Solo SU3300 is positioned at rank 1211 and the Core i3-2330M is on rank 679, so the Core i3-2330M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Solo SU3300

#1199
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
6164%
#1200
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
6074%
#1201
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
5576%
#1202
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
5550%
#1203
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
5500%
#1205
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
5311%
#1206
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
5092%
#1207
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
5084%
#1208
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
4947%
#1211
Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP: $262|Avg: $50
100%
#1212
Celeron 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
100%
#1213
Celeron U3600
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
98%
#1216
Core 2 Quad Q9000
MSRP: $348|Avg: $15
96%
#1217
Core i5-2537M
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
96%
#1218
Core i7-720QM
MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A
96%
#1219
Pentium U5400
MSRP: $289|Avg: $214
93%
#1220
Pentium T2330
MSRP: $150|Avg: $7
93%
#1221
Z-01
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
90%
#1222
Pentium T2310
MSRP: $150|Avg: $14
88%
#1223
Celeron SU2300
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
86%
#1224
Core i5-560UM
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
85%
#1225
Core i7-660UM
MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A
85%
#1226
C-30
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
84%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2330M

#667
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
940%
#668
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
927%
#669
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
851%
#670
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
847%
#671
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
839%
#673
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
810%
#674
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
777%
#675
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
776%
#676
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
755%
#679
Core i3-2330M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#681
Core i3-N305
MSRP: $309|Avg: $309
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-2330M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Solo SU3300 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.1% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore 2 Solo SU3300Core i3-2330M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Solo SU3300Core i3-2330M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Solo SU3300 and Core i3-2330M

Intel

Core 2 Solo SU3300

The Core 2 Solo SU3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,247 points. Launch price was $262.

Intel

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 Solo SU3300 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i3-2330M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i3-2330M has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330M — a 58.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-2330M. The Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2330M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3300 scores 1,247 against the Core i3-2330M's 1,248 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-2330M.

FeatureCore 2 Solo SU3300Core i3-2330M
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
1.2 GHz
2.2 GHz+83%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
3 MB+1100%
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
32 nm-29%
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,247
1,248
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses the BGA956 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 Solo SU3300 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. The Core i3-2330M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 4 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Core 2 Solo SU3300) vs 2 (Core i3-2330M). PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Solo SU3300) vs 16 (Core i3-2330M) — the Core i3-2330M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore 2 Solo SU3300Core i3-2330M
Socket
BGA956
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-800
1333+66550%
Max RAM Capacity
4 GB+26214300%
16
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Solo SU3300) vs true (Core i3-2330M). The Core i3-2330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Solo SU3300 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-2330M rivals AMD A6-3400M.

FeatureCore 2 Solo SU3300Core i3-2330M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Mobile