Core i3-2330M vs A4-9120C

Core i3-2330M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2011

A4-9120C

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-2330M

2 / 4

1,248

0.0%

1,258

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i3-2330M is positioned at rank 679 and the A4-9120C is on rank 855, 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 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 Per Dollar A4-9120C

#843

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1399%

#844

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1379%

#845

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1266%

#846

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1260%

#847

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1248%

#849

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1206%

#850

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1156%

#851

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1154%

#852

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1123%

#855

A4-9120C

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#856

Ryzen Embedded R1305G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

100%

#863

Pentium Dual Core T2390

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

98%

#867

Core i7-1160G7

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The A4-9120C (2019) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-2330M	A4-9120C
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-2330M (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-2330M	A4-9120C
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i3-2330M Benchmark Check

A4-9120C Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2330M and A4-9120C

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.

A4-9120C

The A4-9120C is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,258 points. Launch price was $50.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-2330M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the A4-9120C's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330M versus 1.6 GHz on the A4-9120C — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-2330M. The Core i3-2330M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A4-9120C uses Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2330M scores 1,248 against the A4-9120C's 1,258 — a 0.8% lead for the A4-9120C.

Feature	Core i3-2330M	A4-9120C
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+38%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm	28 nm-13%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	1,248	1,258
Geekbench 6 Single	—	418

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2330M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A4-9120C uses BGA (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i3-2330M versus DDR4-1866 on the A4-9120C — the Core i3-2330M supports 198.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2330M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-2330M) vs 1 (A4-9120C). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2330M) vs 8 (A4-9120C) — the Core i3-2330M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-2330M	A4-9120C
Socket	PGA988	BGA
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333+33225%	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	16	8 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+100%	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i3-2330M) vs AMD-V (A4-9120C). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2330M) and Radeon R4 (A4-9120C) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-9120C targets Chromebook. Direct competitor: Core i3-2330M rivals AMD A6-3400M; A4-9120C rivals Celeron N3350.