Core i5-3330 vs FX-6300

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3330

4 Cores4 Thrd77 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012

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FX-6300

6 Cores6 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012

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Core i5-3330 vs FX-6300 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3330

4 / 4

4,100

0.0%

Core m5-6Y54

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

4,137

+0.9%

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 i5-3330 vs FX-6300 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 i5-3330 vs FX-6300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3330

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while FX-6300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,100 vs 4,137).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.5 vs 31.3 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

FX-6300

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 39.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.3 vs 22.5 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3330 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6300 better than Core i5-3330?

Yes. FX-6300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% 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, FX-6300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% 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, FX-6300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

FX-6300 is the better buy right now. FX-6300 comes in $50 cheaper on MSRP at $132 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 39.1% better value on MSRP (31.3 vs 22.5 PassMark/$), 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-6300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3330 vs FX-6300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3330

The Core i5-3330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,100 points. Launch price was $360.

FX-6300

The FX-6300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,137 points. Launch price was $132.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3330 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6300 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330 versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-6300 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the FX-6300 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6300 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330 scores 4,100 against the FX-6300's 4,137 — a 0.9% lead for the FX-6300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 600 vs 534, a 11.6% lead for the Core i5-3330 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330 vs 8192 kB on the FX-6300.

Feature	Core i5-3330	FX-6300
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,100	4,137
Geekbench 6 Single	600+12%	534

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3330 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6300 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3330 versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-6300 — the FX-6300 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3330) vs 0 (FX-6300) — the Core i5-3330 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i5-3330) and AMD 990FX,AMD 970 (FX-6300).

Feature	Core i5-3330	FX-6300
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1866+17%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Only the FX-6300 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3330) vs AMD-V (FX-6300). The Core i5-3330 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the FX-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3330 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3330 rivals FX-6300.

Feature	Core i5-3330	FX-6300
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3330 was priced at $182, while the FX-6300 came in at $132. On launch pricing ($182 vs $132), FX-6300 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3330 delivers 22.5 pts/$ vs 31.3 pts/$ for the FX-6300 — making the FX-6300 the 32.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3330	FX-6300
MSRP	$182	$132-27%
Performance per Dollar	22.5	31.3+39%
Release Date	2012	2012

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