Core i3-330E vs Pentium J2900

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 J2900 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 J2900: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($177 MSRP vs $94 MSRP).
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Pentium J2900

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $83 less on MSRP ($94 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅Delivers 87.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.3 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($94 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,254 vs 1,260).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium J2900 better than Core i3-330E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium J2900 is ahead with a 2.8% 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 0.5% better PassMark. Core i3-330E also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium J2900 is the better buy right now. Pentium J2900 comes in $83 cheaper on MSRP at $94 MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-330E is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 87.4% better value on MSRP (13.3 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium J2900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-330E vs Pentium J2900 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 J2900

The Pentium J2900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,254 points. Launch price was $94.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-330E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium J2900 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium J2900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium J2900 — a 195.5% clock advantage for the Pentium J2900 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.41 GHz). The Core i3-330E uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium J2900 uses Bay Trail-D (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330E scores 1,260 against the Pentium J2900's 1,254 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-330E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330E vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium J2900.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Pentium J2900
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	0.03 GHz	2.66 GHz+8767%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	2.41 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Bay Trail-D (2013)
PassMark	1,260	1,254

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330E uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium J2900 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Pentium J2900
Socket	BGA1288	FCBGA1170
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 J2900 came in at $94. On launch pricing ($177 vs $94), Pentium J2900 was $83 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-330E delivers 7.1 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Pentium J2900 — making the Pentium J2900 the 60.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Pentium J2900
MSRP	$177	$94-47%
Performance per Dollar	7.1	13.3+87%
Release Date	2010	2013

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