Core i3-3220 vs E2-7110

Intel

Core i3-3220

2 Cores4 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

E2-7110

4 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i3-3220 vs E2-7110 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i3-3220 vs E2-7110 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-3220 vs E2-7110: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-3220

2012

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while E2-7110 needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike E2-7110.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,276 vs 2,282).
  • Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while E2-7110 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

E2-7110

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3220 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-3220.

Quick Answers

So, is E2-7110 better than Core i3-3220?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3220 is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, E2-7110 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, E2-7110 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
E2-7110 is still the much better call for a fresh build. E2-7110 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Core i3-3220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
E2-7110 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3220 vs E2-7110 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i3-3220

The Core i3-3220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) 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 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,276 points. Launch price was $117.

AMD

E2-7110

The E2-7110 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo-L (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,282 points. Launch price was $50.

Processing Power

The Core i3-3220 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the E2-7110 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the E2-7110 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-3220 versus 1.8 GHz on the E2-7110 — a 58.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-3220. The Core i3-3220 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the E2-7110 uses Carrizo-L (2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3220 scores 2,276 against the E2-7110's 2,282 — a 0.3% lead for the E2-7110.

FeatureCore i3-3220E2-7110
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz+83%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2048 kB+700%
Process
22 nm-21%
28 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Carrizo-L (2015)
PassMark
2,276
2,282
Geekbench 6 Single
503
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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3220 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the E2-7110 uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-3220E2-7110
Socket
LGA1155
FP4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220) / not specified (E2-7110). The Core i3-3220 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the E2-7110 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3220 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3220 rivals FX-4300.

FeatureCore i3-3220E2-7110
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, EPT
Target Use
Budget Desktop