Core i3-330M vs Pentium N3510

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 N3510 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 N3510: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale), while Pentium N3510 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,032 vs 1,040).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pentium N3510

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $161 MSRP, while Core i3-330M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-330M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3510 better than Core i3-330M?

Yes. Pentium N3510 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium N3510 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3510 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium N3510 is the better buy right now. Pentium N3510 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $161 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N3510 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-330M vs Pentium N3510 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 N3510

The Pentium N3510 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,040 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-330M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N3510 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3510 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M versus 2 GHz on the Pentium N3510 — a 175.6% clock advantage for the Pentium N3510 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-330M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium N3510 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330M scores 1,032 against the Pentium N3510's 1,040 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium N3510. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M vs 2 MB on the Pentium N3510.

Feature	Core i3-330M	Pentium N3510
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	0.13 GHz	2 GHz+1438%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz+6%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,032	1,040
Geekbench 6 Single	317	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	689	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N3510 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-330M	Pentium N3510
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M) / not specified (Pentium N3510). The Core i3-330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)), while the Pentium N3510 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.