Core i3-330UM
VS
Core i3-3227U

Core i3-330UM vs Core i3-3227U

Intel

Core i3-330UM

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Core i3-3227U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2013

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 Core i3-3227U is on rank 599, so the Core i3-330UM 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 Core i3-3227U

#184
Core Ultra 7 266V
MSRP: $520|Avg: $520
100%
#185
Ryzen 7 5825C
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
98%
#587
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
791%
#588
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
779%
#589
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
715%
#590
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
712%
#591
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
705%
#593
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
681%
#594
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
653%
#595
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
652%
#596
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
635%
#599
Core i3-3227U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#608
Ryzen AI 5 330
MSRP: $350|Avg: $350
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-3227U delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-330UM in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-330UMCore i3-3227U
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 (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-330UMCore i3-3227U
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-330UM and Core i3-3227U

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i3-3227U

The Core i3-3227U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,299 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-330UM and Core i3-3227U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-3227U — a 180% clock advantage for the Core i3-3227U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i3-330UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3227U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330UM scores 1,297 against the Core i3-3227U's 1,299 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-3227U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 400, a 28.6% lead for the Core i3-3227U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 600 vs 900 (40% advantage for the Core i3-3227U). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3227U.

FeatureCore i3-330UMCore i3-3227U
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
0.1 GHz
1.9 GHz+1800%
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
1.9 GHz+58%
L3 Cache
3 MB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,297
1,299
Geekbench 6 Single
300
400+33%
Geekbench 6 Multi
600
900+50%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3227U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-800 memory speed. The Core i3-3227U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Core i3-330UM) and HM77,HM76 (Core i3-3227U).

FeatureCore i3-330UMCore i3-3227U
Socket
BGA1288
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-800
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
32 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-330UM) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3227U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop, Core i3-3227U targets Legacy Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300; Core i3-3227U rivals AMD A6-4455M.

FeatureCore i3-330UMCore i3-3227U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Legacy Laptop
Legacy Ultrabook