Phenom II X3 N850 vs Core i3-2330M

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Phenom II X3 N850

3 / 3

1,253

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-2330M

2 / 4

1,248

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 Phenom II X3 N850 is positioned at rank 539 and the Core i3-2330M is on rank 679, so the Phenom II X3 N850 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 Phenom II X3 N850

#169

Core i7-1280P

MSRP: $482|Avg: $482

100%

#527

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

702%

#528

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

692%

#529

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

635%

#530

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

633%

#531

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

627%

#533

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

605%

#534

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

580%

#535

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

579%

#536

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

564%

#539

Phenom II X3 N850

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#549

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $49

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2330M

#667

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

940%

#668

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

927%

#669

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

851%

#670

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

847%

#671

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

839%

#673

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

810%

#674

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

777%

#675

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

776%

#676

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

755%

#679

Core i3-2330M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Phenom II X3 N850 shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.

Insight	Phenom II X3 N850	Core i3-2330M
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Phenom II X3 N850	Core i3-2330M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Phenom II X3 N850 Benchmark Check

Core i3-2330M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Phenom II X3 N850 and Core i3-2330M

Phenom II X3 N850

The Phenom II X3 N850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,253 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-2330M

The Core i3-2330M 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: 1,248 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Phenom II X3 N850 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i3-2330M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X3 N850 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N850 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330M — identical boost frequencies. The Phenom II X3 N850 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2330M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 N850 scores 1,253 against the Core i3-2330M's 1,248 — a 0.4% lead for the Phenom II X3 N850.

Feature	Phenom II X3 N850	Core i3-2330M
Cores / Threads	3 / 3+50%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.5 MB+500%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Champlain (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,253	1,248

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X3 N850 uses the S1g4 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Phenom II X3 N850	Core i3-2330M
Socket	S1g4	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Phenom II X3 N850) / true (Core i3-2330M). The Core i3-2330M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom II X3 N850 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-2330M rivals AMD A6-3400M.