Core i7-2820QM vs FX-6330

Core i7-2820QM vs FX-6330 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-2820QM

4 / 8

4,379

0.0%

4,433

+1.2%

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 i7-2820QM 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 i7-2820QM 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 i7-2820QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while FX-6330 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,379 vs 4,433).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 40.7 PassMark/$ ($568 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

FX-6330

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $459 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Delivers 427.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.7 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2820QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2820QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6330 better than Core i7-2820QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2820QM is ahead with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, FX-6330 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

FX-6330 is the better buy right now. FX-6330 comes in $459 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $568 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2820QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 427.5% better value on MSRP (40.7 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-6330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-2820QM vs FX-6330 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-2820QM

The Core i7-2820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.

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 i7-2820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-6330 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6330 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the FX-6330 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-2820QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-6330 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2820QM scores 4,379 against the FX-6330's 4,433 — a 1.2% lead for the FX-6330. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	FX-6330
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+4167%	6 MB
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,379	4,433+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	554	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,763	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-6330 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	FX-6330
Socket	PGA988	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2820QM) / not specified (FX-6330). The Core i7-2820QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the FX-6330 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	FX-6330
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-2820QM was priced at $568, while the FX-6330 came in at $109. On launch pricing ($568 vs $109), FX-6330 was $459 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2820QM delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 40.7 pts/$ for the FX-6330 — making the FX-6330 the 136.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	FX-6330
MSRP	$568	$109-81%
Performance per Dollar	7.7	40.7+429%
Release Date	2011	2015

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