Core i5-3330 vs FX-8100

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3330

4 Cores4 Thrd77 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012

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FX-8100

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2011

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Core i5-3330 vs FX-8100 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3330

4 / 4

4,100

+0.1%

Core m5-6Y54

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

4,095

0.0%

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-8100 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-8100: 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

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $118 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 65.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.5 vs 13.7 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-8100

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,095 vs 4,100).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.7 vs 22.5 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌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.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3330.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3330 better than FX-8100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8100 is ahead with a 13.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. FX-8100 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3330 is the better buy right now. Core i5-3330 comes in $118 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-8100 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 65.0% better value on MSRP (22.5 vs 13.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3330 vs FX-8100 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-8100

The FX-8100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,095 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3330 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8100 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8100 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330 versus 3.7 GHz on the FX-8100 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the FX-8100 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330 scores 4,100 against the FX-8100's 4,095 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-3330. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 600 vs 455, a 27.5% lead for the Core i5-3330 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330 vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8100.

Feature	Core i5-3330	FX-8100
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	8 MB+3100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,100	4,095
Geekbench 6 Single	600+32%	455
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,621

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3330 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8100 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-8100 — the FX-8100 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3330 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3330) vs 0 (FX-8100) — 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-8100).

Feature	Core i5-3330	FX-8100
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+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Only the FX-8100 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-8100). The Core i5-3330 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the FX-8100 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-8100
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	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3330 was priced at $182, while the FX-8100 came in at $300. On launch pricing ($182 vs $300), Core i5-3330 was $118 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3330 delivers 22.5 pts/$ vs 13.7 pts/$ for the FX-8100 — making the Core i5-3330 the 49.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3330	FX-8100
MSRP	$182-39%	$300
Performance per Dollar	22.5+64%	13.7
Release Date	2012	2011

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