Core i3-330UM vs A6-3420M
Core i3-330UM
A6-3420M
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 i3-330UM is positioned at rank 305 and the A6-3420M is on rank 837, so the Core i3-330UM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330UM
Performance Per Dollar A6-3420M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-330UM | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-330UM | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i3-330UM and A6-3420M
Core i3-330UM
The Core i3-330UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,297 points. Launch price was $69.
A6-3420M
The A6-3420M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,310 points. Launch price was $70.
Processing Power
The Core i3-330UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A6-3420M offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A6-3420M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM versus 2.4 GHz on the A6-3420M — a 184% clock advantage for the A6-3420M (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-330UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the A6-3420M uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330UM scores 1,297 against the A6-3420M's 1,310 — a 1% lead for the A6-3420M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 234, a 24.7% lead for the Core i3-330UM that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM vs 0 kB on the A6-3420M.
| Feature | Core i3-330UM | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 0.1 GHz | 2.4 GHz+2300% |
| Base Clock | 1.2 GHz | 1.5 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 1,297 | 1,310+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 300+28% | 234 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-330UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A6-3420M uses FS1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-800 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i3-330UM | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | FS1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-800 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-330UM) vs AMD-V (A6-3420M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-330UM) and Radeon HD 6520G (A6-3420M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop, A6-3420M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300; A6-3420M rivals Core i3-2330M.
| Feature | Core i3-330UM | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | Radeon HD 6520G |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | Budget Laptop |
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