Core i3-6320 vs FX-6330

Core i3-6320 vs FX-6330 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6320

2 / 4

4,421

0.0%

4,433

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 i3-6320 vs FX-6330 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 i3-6320 vs FX-6330: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6320

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 51W instead of 125W, a 74W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while FX-6330 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-6330.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,421 vs 4,433).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.6 vs 40.7 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

FX-6330

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 47.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.7 vs 27.6 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6320 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌145.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6320 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-6320.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6330 better than Core i3-6320?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-6320 is ahead with a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, FX-6330 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. FX-6330 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-6330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

FX-6330 is the better buy right now. FX-6330 comes in $51 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-6320 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 47.2% better value on MSRP (40.7 vs 27.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-6330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6320 vs FX-6330 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6320

The Core i3-6320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,421 points. Launch price was $157.

FX-6330

The FX-6330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,433 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-6320 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6330 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6330 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-6320 versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6330 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the FX-6330 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-6320 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-6330 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6320 scores 4,421 against the FX-6330's 4,433 — a 0.3% lead for the FX-6330. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6320 vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6330.

Feature	Core i3-6320	FX-6330
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+4167%	6 MB
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,421	4,433
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,853	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,311	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,730	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6330 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6320	FX-6330
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-6320) / not specified (FX-6330). The Core i3-6320 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the FX-6330 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-6320	FX-6330
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 530	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6320 was priced at $160, while the FX-6330 came in at $109. On launch pricing ($160 vs $109), FX-6330 was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6320 delivers 27.6 pts/$ vs 40.7 pts/$ for the FX-6330 — making the FX-6330 the 38.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6320	FX-6330
MSRP	$160	$109-32%
Performance per Dollar	27.6	40.7+47%
Release Date	2015	2015

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