Core i7-820QM vs Core i3-2330E

CPU

GPU

Core i7-820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.06 GHz2009

Core i3-2330E

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-820QM

4 / 8

1,819

0.0%

1,823

+0.2%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-820QM is positioned at rank 1231 and the Core i3-2330E is on rank 1133, so the Core i3-2330E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-820QM

#1219

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

8811%

#1220

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

8682%

#1221

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

7970%

#1222

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

7934%

#1223

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

7861%

#1225

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

7592%

#1226

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

7279%

#1227

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

7267%

#1228

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

7072%

#1231

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

100%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

84%

#1235

Pentium SU4100

MSRP: $289|Avg: $15

71%

#1236

Core Solo T1400

MSRP: $200|Avg: $5

64%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

62%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

61%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

55%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

51%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2330E

#1121

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3622%

#1122

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3569%

#1123

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3277%

#1124

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3262%

#1125

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3232%

#1127

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3121%

#1128

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2993%

#1129

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2988%

#1130

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2907%

#1133

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

100%

#1135

Core i5-4288U

MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A

96%

#1136

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1137

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

95%

#1138

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

95%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

95%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

94%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

94%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

94%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

94%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

93%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-820QM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-2330E is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.2% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-820QM	Core i3-2330E
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($546)	✅ More affordable ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-2330E stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 98% cheaper ($10 vs $546) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-820QM	Core i3-2330E
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+5372%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($546)	✅ More affordable ($10)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-820QM Benchmark Check

Core i3-2330E Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-820QM and Core i3-2330E

Core i7-820QM

The Core i7-820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.

Core i3-2330E

The Core i3-2330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,823 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-2330E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330E — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-820QM (base: 1.73 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-820QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2330E uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-820QM scores 1,819 against the Core i3-2330E's 1,823 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-2330E. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2330E.

Feature	Core i7-820QM	Core i3-2330E
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.06 GHz+39%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.73 GHz	2.2 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+167%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,819	1,823

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-820QM versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2330E — the Core i7-820QM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2330E supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i7-820QM	Core i3-2330E
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1333+44333%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	8	16 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-820QM) vs VT-x (Core i3-2330E). The Core i3-2330E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-820QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2330E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i7-820QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.