CPU
GPU
Core i7-920XM
Athlon II N330
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-920XM is positioned at rank 876 and the Athlon II N330 is on rank 884, so the Core i7-920XM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-920XM
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II N330
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-920XM | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-920XM | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-920XM and Athlon II N330
Core i7-920XM
The Core i7-920XM 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $1,054.
Athlon II N330
The Athlon II N330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,999 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-920XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Athlon II N330 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-920XM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-920XM versus 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II N330 — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-920XM. The Core i7-920XM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon II N330 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-920XM scores 2,014 against the Athlon II N330's 1,999 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-920XM.
| Feature | Core i7-920XM | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+39% | 2.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarksfield (2009−2010) | Champlain (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,014 | 1,999 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-920XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II N330 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-920XM versus 1066 on the Athlon II N330 — the Core i7-920XM supports 22.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-920XM) vs 0 (Athlon II N330) — the Core i7-920XM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-920XM) and S1g4 (Athlon II N330).
| Feature | Core i7-920XM | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | S1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+25% | 1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-920XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support true virtualization. Direct competitor: Core i7-920XM rivals Core i7-2720QM; Athlon II N330 rivals Pentium P6100.
| Feature | Core i7-920XM | Athlon II N330 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | true |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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