Core i3-4330 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

Core i3-4330 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4330

2 / 4

3,482

0.0%

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

4 / 4

3,489

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-4330 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-4330 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-4330

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 54W instead of 125W, a 71W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,482 vs 3,489).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4330 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌131.5% higher power demand at 125W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4330 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4330 better than Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4330 is ahead with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-4330 is the better buy right now. Core i3-4330 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4330 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-4330

The Core i3-4330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,482 points. Launch price was $171.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

The Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,489 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4330 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4330 versus 2 GHz on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-4330. The Core i3-4330 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4330 scores 3,482 against the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition's 3,489 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4330 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition.

Feature	Core i3-4330	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+75%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	3,482	3,489

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4330 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4330	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition
Socket	LGA1150	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4330) / not specified (Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition). The Core i3-4330 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4330 targets Desktop.