Pentium E2220 vs Core i3-330M
Pentium E2220
Core i3-330M
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 Pentium E2220 is positioned at rank 569 and the Core i3-330M is on rank 276, so the Core i3-330M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium E2220
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium E2220 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($32) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium E2220 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($32) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Pentium E2220 and Core i3-330M
Pentium E2220
The Pentium E2220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i3-330M
The Core i3-330M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,032 points. Launch price was $49.
Processing Power
The Core i3-330M is built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium E2220 scores 1,028 against the Core i3-330M's 1,032 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-330M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 330 vs 317, a 4% lead for the Pentium E2220 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 590 vs 689 (15.5% advantage for the Core i3-330M). L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium E2220 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M.
| Feature | Pentium E2220 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | — | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | — | 0.13 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+13% | 2.13 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 1 MB L2 Cache | 3 MB (total)+200% |
| L2 Cache | — | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | — | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,028 | 1,032 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 330+4% | 317 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 590 | 689+17% |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium E2220 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Pentium E2220 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-330M — the Core i3-330M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-330M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Pentium E2220) vs 16 (Core i3-330M) — the Core i3-330M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41 (Pentium E2220) and HM55,PM55,QM57 (Core i3-330M).
| Feature | Pentium E2220 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | DDR3-1066+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Pentium E2220 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: None (Pentium E2220) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M). The Core i3-330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)), while the Pentium E2220 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium E2220 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Pentium E2220 | Core i3-330M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | None | VT-x / EPT |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Legacy Budget |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Pentium E2220 and Core i3-330M
