
Core i3-330UM vs Pentium U5400

Core i3-330UM

Pentium U5400
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330UM
Performance Per Dollar Pentium U5400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-330UM | Pentium 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
| Insight | Core i3-330UM | Pentium U5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($214) |
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 Pentium U5400

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.

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.
| Feature | Core i3-330UM | Pentium 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).
| Feature | Core i3-330UM | Pentium 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.
| Feature | Core i3-330UM | Pentium 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 |
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