Core i3-2330M vs Athlon 64 TF-20
Core i3-2330M
Athlon 64 TF-20
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 i3-2330M is positioned at rank 679 and the Athlon 64 TF-20 is on rank 790, so the Core i3-2330M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2330M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 TF-20
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2330M | Athlon 64 TF-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sherman (2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2330M | Athlon 64 TF-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
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 i3-2330M and Athlon 64 TF-20
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.
Athlon 64 TF-20
The Athlon 64 TF-20 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Sherman (2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,245 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2330M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon 64 TF-20 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Core i3-2330M has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330M versus 1.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 TF-20 — 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 Athlon 64 TF-20 uses Sherman (2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2330M scores 1,248 against the Athlon 64 TF-20's 1,245 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-2330M.
| Feature | Core i3-2330M | Athlon 64 TF-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4+100% | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz+38% | 1.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sherman (2009) |
| PassMark | 1,248 | 1,245 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2330M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon 64 TF-20 uses S1g1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i3-2330M versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon 64 TF-20 — 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. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i3-2330M) and Socket S1 (Athlon 64 TF-20).
| Feature | Core i3-2330M | Athlon 64 TF-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | S1g1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+66550% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 4 GB+26214300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i3-2330M) vs false (Athlon 64 TF-20). The Core i3-2330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon 64 TF-20 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-2330M rivals AMD A6-3400M.
| Feature | Core i3-2330M | Athlon 64 TF-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | false |
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