Core i3-330M vs Core 2 Duo E8300
Core i3-330M
Core 2 Duo E8300
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 Core 2 Duo E8300 is on rank 1060, 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 Core 2 Duo E8300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-330M | Core 2 Duo E8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-330M | Core 2 Duo E8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
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 Core 2 Duo E8300
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.
Core 2 Duo E8300
The Core 2 Duo E8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 2.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,039 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core i3-330M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo E8300's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M versus 2.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8300 — a 182.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8300 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.83 GHz). The Core i3-330M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8300 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330M scores 1,032 against the Core 2 Duo E8300's 1,039 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 317 vs 345, a 8.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8300 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 689 vs 771 (11.2% advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8300). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E8300.
| Feature | Core i3-330M | Core 2 Duo E8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 0.13 GHz | 2.83 GHz+2077% |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 2.83 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 6 MB (total)+2300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Wolfdale (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,032 | 1,039 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 317 | 345+9% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 689 | 771+12% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-330M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E8300 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Core 2 Duo E8300 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,PM55,QM57 (Core i3-330M) and P35,P45,G33,G31 (Core 2 Duo E8300).
| Feature | Core i3-330M | Core 2 Duo E8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo E8300). The Core i3-330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)), while the Core 2 Duo E8300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget, Core 2 Duo E8300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Core i3-330M | Core 2 Duo E8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x / EPT | VT-x |
| Target Use | Legacy Budget | Budget |
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