FX-6330 vs Core i7-2820QM

FX-6330

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2015

Core i7-2820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

FX-6330

6 / 6

4,433

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Core i7-2820QM

4 / 8

4,379

0.0%

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 FX-6330 is positioned at rank 494 and the Core i7-2820QM is on rank 1138, so the FX-6330 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 FX-6330

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

7664%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

7242%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

5258%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1584%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1255%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1098%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

629%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

621%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

565%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

565%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

559%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

544%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

536%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

534%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

529%

#256

Ryzen 7 1700X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $60

96%

#371

Core 5 120UL

MSRP: $277|Avg: $270

96%

#372

Ryzen Embedded V3C14

MSRP: $305|Avg: $305

96%

#494

FX-6330

MSRP: $109|Avg: $25

100%

#495

Celeron G1630

MSRP: $42|Avg: $5

100%

#499

Pentium G4400

MSRP: $64|Avg: $85

98%

#501

Core i5-8600K

MSRP: $257|Avg: $100

97%

#506

Athlon II X4 651

MSRP: $92|Avg: $92

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2820QM

#1126

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3805%

#1127

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3750%

#1128

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3442%

#1129

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3427%

#1130

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3395%

#1132

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3279%

#1133

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3144%

#1134

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3139%

#1135

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3054%

#1138

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

100%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

99%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

99%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

99%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

99%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

98%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

98%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

97%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

97%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

96%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

95%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The FX-6330 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-2820QM in both compute-intensive tasks (1.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	FX-6330	Core i7-2820QM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($568)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the FX-6330 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 96% cheaper ($25 vs $568) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	FX-6330	Core i7-2820QM
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+2200%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($568)

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.

FX-6330 Benchmark Check

Core i7-2820QM Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of FX-6330 and Core i7-2820QM

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

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

Feature	FX-6330	Core i7-2820QM
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+24%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+57%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Vishera (2012−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,433+1%	4,379
Geekbench 6 Single	—	554
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,763

🧠

Memory & Platform

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

Feature	FX-6330	Core i7-2820QM
Socket	AM3+	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FX-6330) / true (Core i7-2820QM). 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.