CPU
GPU
Core i3-2120
Athlon II N330
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 i3-2120 is positioned at rank 911 and the Athlon II N330 is on rank 884, so the Athlon II N330 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2120
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II N330
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2120 | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2120 | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+98%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 i3-2120 and Athlon II N330
Core i3-2120
The Core i3-2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,979 points. Launch price was $95.
Athlon II N330
The Athlon II N330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,999 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2120 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon II N330's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 versus 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II N330 — a 35.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120. The Core i3-2120 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II N330 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120 scores 1,979 against the Athlon II N330's 1,999 — a 1% lead for the Athlon II N330.
| Feature | Core i3-2120 | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz+43% | 2.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Champlain (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,979 | 1,999+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 1,073 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 534 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,140 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2120 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II N330 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2120 versus 1066 on the Athlon II N330 — the Athlon II N330 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2120 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2120) vs 0 (Athlon II N330) — the Core i3-2120 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,Q65,Q67,B75,H77,Q75,Q77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2120) and S1g4 (Athlon II N330).
| Feature | Core i3-2120 | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | S1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 1066+35433% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+419430300% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-2120) vs true (Athlon II N330). The Core i3-2120 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Athlon II N330 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Athlon II N330 rivals Pentium P6100.
| Feature | Core i3-2120 | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | true |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-2120 launched at $138 MSRP, while the Athlon II N330 debuted at $100. At current prices ($25 vs $50), the Core i3-2120 is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2120 delivers 79.2 pts/$ vs 40.0 pts/$ for the Athlon II N330 — making the Core i3-2120 the 65.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-2120 | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $138 | $100-28% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-50% | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 79.2+98% | 40.0 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2010 |
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