CPU
GPU
Core i3-2330E
A8-5557M
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 i3-2330E is positioned at rank 1133 and the A8-5557M is on rank 687, so the A8-5557M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2330E
Performance Per Dollar A8-5557M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2330E | A8-5557M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2330E | A8-5557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ 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 i3-2330E and A8-5557M
Core i3-2330E
The Core i3-2330E 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: 1,823 points. Launch price was $225.
A8-5557M
The A8-5557M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FP2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,831 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2330E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A8-5557M offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5557M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330E versus 3.1 GHz on the A8-5557M — a 34% clock advantage for the A8-5557M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-2330E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A8-5557M uses Richland (2013−2014) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2330E scores 1,823 against the A8-5557M's 1,831 — a 0.4% lead for the A8-5557M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2330E vs 0 kB on the A8-5557M.
| Feature | Core i3-2330E | A8-5557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.1 GHz+41% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz+5% | 2.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Richland (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 1,823 | 1,831 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2330E uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A8-5557M uses FP2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2330E versus 1600 on the A8-5557M — the A8-5557M supports 199.3% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i3-2330E | A8-5557M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FP2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 1600+53233% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+104857500% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-2330E) vs true (A8-5557M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2330E) and Radeon HD 8510G / 8550G (A8-5557M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2330E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: A8-5557M rivals Core i3-4000M.
| Feature | Core i3-2330E | A8-5557M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | Radeon HD 8510G / 8550G |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | true |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
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