Core i3-330M vs Atom x5-Z8330
Core i3-330M
Atom x5-Z8330
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-330M is positioned at rank 276 and the Atom x5-Z8330 is on rank 778, so the Core i3-330M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330M
Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8330
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-330M | Atom x5-Z8330 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Airmont (2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-330M | Atom x5-Z8330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i3-330M and Atom x5-Z8330
Core i3-330M
The Core i3-330M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,032 points. Launch price was $49.
Atom x5-Z8330
The Atom x5-Z8330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Memory support: DDR3L-RS 1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,025 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i3-330M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8330 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M versus 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8330 — a 174.6% clock advantage for the Atom x5-Z8330 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 1.44 GHz). The Core i3-330M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8330 uses Airmont (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330M scores 1,032 against the Atom x5-Z8330's 1,025 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-330M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M vs 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8330.
| Feature | Core i3-330M | Atom x5-Z8330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 0.13 GHz | 1.92 GHz+1377% |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz+48% | 1.44 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Airmont (2016) |
| PassMark | 1,032 | 1,025 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 317 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 689 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Core i3-330M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-330M) vs 1 (Atom x5-Z8330). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-330M) vs 1 (Atom x5-Z8330) — the Core i3-330M offers 15 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55,PM55,QM57 (Core i3-330M) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8330).
| Feature | Core i3-330M | Atom x5-Z8330 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3L-RS 1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+300% | 2 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+1500% | 1 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M) / not specified (Atom x5-Z8330). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) (Core i3-330M) and Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8330) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Core i3-330M | Atom x5-Z8330 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) | Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x / EPT | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Budget | — |
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