Core i3-330UM vs Atom Z2580

Core i3-330UM

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010

Atom Z2580

2 Cores4 Thrd3 WWMax: 2 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-330UM

2 / 4

1,297

0.0%

1,303

+0.5%

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 Atom Z2580 is on rank 9, so the Atom Z2580 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330UM

#293

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

452%

#294

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

446%

#295

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

409%

#296

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

407%

#297

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

404%

#299

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

390%

#300

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

374%

#301

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

373%

#302

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

363%

#305

Core i3-330UM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom Z2580

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

113%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

111%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

102%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

101%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

100%

Atom Z2580

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

97%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

93%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

93%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

90%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

83%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

82%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

81%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

73%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

70%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

70%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Atom Z2580 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-330UM in both compute-intensive tasks (0.5% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-330UM	Atom Z2580
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior 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 (Clovertrail (2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-330UM	Atom Z2580
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-330UM Benchmark Check

Atom Z2580 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-330UM and Atom Z2580

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.

Atom Z2580

The Atom Z2580 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Clovertrail (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FC-MB4760. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,303 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-330UM and Atom Z2580 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM versus 2 GHz on the Atom Z2580 — a 181% clock advantage for the Atom Z2580. The Core i3-330UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom Z2580 uses Clovertrail (2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330UM scores 1,297 against the Atom Z2580's 1,303 — a 0.5% lead for the Atom Z2580. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM vs 0 kB on the Atom Z2580.

Feature	Core i3-330UM	Atom Z2580
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz	2 GHz+1900%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Clovertrail (2013)
PassMark	1,297	1,303
Geekbench 6 Single	300	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom Z2580 uses FC-MB4760 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Core i3-330UM versus LPDDR2-1066 on the Atom Z2580 — the Core i3-330UM supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-330UM supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-330UM) vs 0 (Atom Z2580) — the Core i3-330UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Core i3-330UM) and Intel BGA1264 (Atom Z2580).

Feature	Core i3-330UM	Atom Z2580
Socket	BGA1288	FC-MB4760
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800+50%	LPDDR2-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+300%	2 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-330UM) / not specified (Atom Z2580). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-330UM) and PowerVR SGX544MP2 (Atom Z2580) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300.