Core i3-330E vs Phenom II X3 N850

Core i3-330E vs Phenom II X3 N850 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-330E

2 / 4

1,260

+0.6%

1,253

0.0%

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.

Core i3-330E vs Phenom II X3 N850 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 Phenom II X3 N850: 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.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 N850 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2233.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 N850

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,253 vs 1,260).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-330E better than Phenom II X3 N850?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X3 N850 is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 19 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 the better buy right now. Core i3-330E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $177 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom II X3 N850 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 19 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Phenom II X3 N850 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i3-330E vs Phenom II X3 N850 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.

Phenom II X3 N850

The Phenom II X3 N850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,253 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-330E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 N850 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 N850 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N850 — a 194.6% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 N850. The Core i3-330E uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330E scores 1,260 against the Phenom II X3 N850's 1,253 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-330E.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Phenom II X3 N850
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	0.03 GHz	2.2 GHz+7233%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.5 MB+200%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,260	1,253

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330E uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.