Core i3-330M vs Pentium B950

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 i3-330M vs Pentium B950 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 i3-330M vs Pentium B950: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-330M

2010

Why buy it

✅+2.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (317 vs 379).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Pentium B950

2011

Why buy it

✅+19.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (671 vs 689).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core i3-330M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B950 better than Core i3-330M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium B950 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-330M pulls ahead with 2.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i3-330M 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 i3-330M is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.7% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 B950 is the better buy right now. Pentium B950 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-330M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.7% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium B950 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-330M vs Pentium B950 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Pentium B950

The Pentium B950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,022 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-330M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B950's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M versus 2.1 GHz on the Pentium B950 — a 176.7% clock advantage for the Pentium B950 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-330M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium B950 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330M scores 1,032 against the Pentium B950's 1,022 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-330M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 317 vs 379, a 17.8% lead for the Pentium B950 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 689 vs 671 (2.6% advantage for the Core i3-330M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B950.

Feature	Core i3-330M	Pentium B950
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.13 GHz	2.1 GHz+1515%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz+1%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,032	1,022
Geekbench 6 Single	317	379+20%
Geekbench 6 Multi	689+3%	671

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-330M versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium B950 — the Pentium B950 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium B950 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% 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 HM65,HM67 (Pentium B950).

Feature	Core i3-330M	Pentium B950
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M) vs VT-x (Pentium B950). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) (Core i3-330M) and Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Pentium B950) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget, Pentium B950 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Core i3-330M	Pentium B950
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x / EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Legacy Budget	Budget