Core i3-330UM
VS
Pentium U5400

Core i3-330UM vs Pentium U5400

Intel

Core i3-330UM

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Pentium U5400

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2010

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 Pentium U5400 is on rank 1219, 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 Pentium U5400

#1207
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
6593%
#1208
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
6497%
#1209
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
5964%
#1210
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
5937%
#1211
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
5883%
#1213
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
5681%
#1214
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
5447%
#1215
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
5438%
#1216
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
5292%
#1219
Pentium U5400
MSRP: $289|Avg: $214
100%
#1220
Pentium T2330
MSRP: $150|Avg: $7
100%
#1221
Z-01
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
97%
#1222
Pentium T2310
MSRP: $150|Avg: $14
94%
#1223
Celeron SU2300
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
91%
#1224
Core i5-560UM
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
91%
#1225
Core i7-660UM
MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A
91%
#1226
C-30
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
90%
#1228
Core i7-620UM
MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A
88%
#1230
Celeron 570
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
85%
#1232
Core i7-820QM
MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A
75%
#1233
Core Duo T2700
MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A
63%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-330UM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Pentium U5400 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.9% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-330UMPentium U5400
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($214)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-330UMPentium U5400
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($214)

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 Pentium U5400

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

Pentium U5400

The Pentium U5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,286 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i3-330UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium U5400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM versus 1.2 GHz on the Pentium U5400 — a 169.2% clock advantage for the Pentium U5400 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-330UM scores 1,297 against the Pentium U5400's 1,286 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-330UM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 170, a 55.3% lead for the Core i3-330UM that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 600 vs 300 (66.7% advantage for the Core i3-330UM). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium U5400.

FeatureCore i3-330UMPentium U5400
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
0.1 GHz
1.2 GHz+1100%
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
1.2 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,297
1,286
Geekbench 6 Single
300+76%
170
Geekbench 6 Multi
600+100%
300
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1288 socket with PCIe 2.0. 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. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Core i3-330UM) and HM55 (Pentium U5400).

FeatureCore i3-330UMPentium U5400
Socket
BGA1288
BGA1288
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-800
DDR3-800
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 VT-x (Pentium U5400). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-330UM) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Pentium U5400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop, Pentium U5400 targets Legacy Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300.

FeatureCore i3-330UMPentium U5400
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x
Target Use
Legacy Laptop
Legacy Budget Laptop