
Core i3-330E vs Ryzen 5 5600

Core i3-330E

Ryzen 5 5600
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. The Core i3-330E is positioned at rank #1157 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330E
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-330E | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($89) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-330E | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1224%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($89) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
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 i3-330E and Ryzen 5 5600

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.

Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i3-330E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 197.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-330E uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330E scores 1,260 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 177.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330E vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core i3-330E | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 6 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 0.03 GHz | 4.4 GHz+14567% |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 3.5 GHz+64% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 32 MB (total)+967% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 7 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Westmere (2010−2011) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 1,260 | 21,550+1610% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,052 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,600 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-330E uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-330E | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-330E) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-330E | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-330E launched at $177 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($89 vs $115), the Core i3-330E is $26 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-330E delivers 14.2 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 171.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-330E | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $177-11% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $89-23% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 14.2 | 187.4+1220% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2022 |
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