Core i3-330E vs Pentium G6950

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 i3-330E vs Pentium G6950 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 i3-330E vs Pentium G6950: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-330E

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 73W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 14.4 PassMark/$ ($177 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).

Pentium G6950

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($87 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅Delivers 102.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,252 vs 1,260).
❌108.6% higher power demand at 73W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-330E better than Pentium G6950?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G6950 is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-330E pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-330E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-330E is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-330E comes in 103.4% more expensive on MSRP at $177 MSRP versus $87 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Pentium G6950 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 102.2% better value on paper (14.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-330E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-330E vs Pentium G6950 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-330E

The Core i3-330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,260 points. Launch price was $177.

Pentium G6950

The Pentium G6950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,252 points. Launch price was $60.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-330E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G6950's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G6950 — a 195.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G6950 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-330E uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G6950 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330E scores 1,260 against the Pentium G6950's 1,252 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-330E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330E vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G6950.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Pentium G6950
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.03 GHz	2.8 GHz+9233%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	2.8 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,260	1,252

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330E uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G6950 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Pentium G6950
Socket	BGA1288	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-330E was priced at $177, while the Pentium G6950 came in at $87. On launch pricing ($177 vs $87), Pentium G6950 was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-330E delivers 7.1 pts/$ vs 14.4 pts/$ for the Pentium G6950 — making the Pentium G6950 the 67.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Pentium G6950
MSRP	$177	$87-51%
Performance per Dollar	7.1	14.4+103%
Release Date	2010	2010

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