CPU
GPU
Pentium G6950
Core i3-330E
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 G6950 is positioned at rank 909 and the Core i3-330E is on rank 1157, so the Pentium G6950 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G6950
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-330E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G6950 | Core i3-330E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($89) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G6950 | Core i3-330E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+254%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($89) |
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 G6950 and Core i3-330E
Pentium G6950
The Pentium G6950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,252 points. Launch price was $60.
Core i3-330E
The Core i3-330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,260 points. Launch price was $177.
Processing Power
The Pentium G6950 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G6950 versus 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E — a 195.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G6950 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Pentium G6950 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-330E uses Westmere (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G6950 scores 1,252 against the Core i3-330E's 1,260 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-330E. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G6950 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-330E.
| Feature | Pentium G6950 | Core i3-330E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+9233% | 0.03 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+31% | 2.13 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Westmere (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,252 | 1,260 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G6950 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-330E uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium G6950 | Core i3-330E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Pentium G6950 launched at $87 MSRP, while the Core i3-330E debuted at $177. At current prices ($25 vs $89), the Pentium G6950 is $64 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G6950 delivers 50.1 pts/$ vs 14.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-330E — making the Pentium G6950 the 111.8% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium G6950 | Core i3-330E |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $87-51% | $177 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-72% | $89 |
| Performance per Dollar | 50.1+253% | 14.2 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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