Core i3-4330TE vs Phenom II X4 905e

Intel

Core i3-4330TE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2014
VS
AMD

Phenom II X4 905e

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2009

Core i3-4330TE vs Phenom II X4 905e Performance Spectrum

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 i3-4330TE vs Phenom II X4 905e 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 i3-4330TE vs Phenom II X4 905e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4330TE

2014

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Phenom II X4 905e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 905e mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 905e

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4330TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (2,014 vs 2,022).
  • ❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4330TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4330TE better than Phenom II X4 905e?
Yes. Core i3-4330TE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i3-4330TE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4330TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-4330TE is the better buy right now. Core i3-4330TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4330TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4330TE vs Phenom II X4 905e Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-4330TE

The Core i3-4330TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,022 points. Launch price was $69.

AMD

Phenom II X4 905e

The Phenom II X4 905e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $212.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i3-4330TE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 905e offers 4 cores / 4 threads β€” the Phenom II X4 905e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4330TE versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X4 905e β€” a 4.1% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 905e (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-4330TE uses the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 905e uses Deneb (2009βˆ’2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4330TE scores 2,022 against the Phenom II X4 905e's 2,014 β€” a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-4330TE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4330TE vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 905e.

FeatureCore i3-4330TEPhenom II X4 905e
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
2.5 GHz+4%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
2.5 GHz+4%
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 (2013βˆ’2015)
Deneb (2009βˆ’2011)
PassMark
2,022
2,014
Geekbench 6 Single
650
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4330TE uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 905e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-4330TEPhenom II X4 905e
Socket
LGA1150
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
Yes
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4330TE) / not specified (Phenom II X4 905e). The Core i3-4330TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Phenom II X4 905e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4330TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-4330TE rivals Embedded R-Series.

FeatureCore i3-4330TEPhenom II X4 905e
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, EPT
β€”
Target Use
Embedded
β€”