Core i3-390M vs Core i3-330UM

CPU

GPU

Core i3-390M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 0.67 GHz2011

Core i3-330UM

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 0.1 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-390M

2 / 4

1,292

0.0%

Atom D2550

Pentium T3400

Pentium E5400

Pentium Dual Core T4200

1,297

+0.4%

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 i3-390M is positioned at rank 585 and the Core i3-330UM is on rank 305, 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 i3-390M

#573

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

772%

#574

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

761%

#575

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

698%

#576

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

695%

#577

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

689%

#579

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

665%

#580

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

638%

#581

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

637%

#582

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

620%

#585

Core i3-390M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-390M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-330UM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-390M	Core i3-330UM
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 (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-390M	Core i3-330UM
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 i3-390M Benchmark Check

Core i3-330UM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-390M and Core i3-330UM

Core i3-390M

The Core i3-390M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,292 points. Launch price was $39.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-390M and Core i3-330UM share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core i3-390M versus 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM — a 148.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-390M (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-390M scores 1,292 against the Core i3-330UM's 1,297 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-330UM. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-390M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM.

Feature	Core i3-390M	Core i3-330UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.67 GHz+570%	0.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+122%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,292	1,297
Geekbench 6 Single	—	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-390M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-330UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 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 i3-390M	Core i3-330UM
Socket	PGA988	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	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 (Core i3-390M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-330UM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i3-390M) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-330UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-390M targets Mobile, Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300.