Intel Core 3 100HL vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between the Intel Core 3 100HL and the Intel Core 5 330 across the 17 benchmark tests. The Core 3 100HL takes 11 wins, while the Core 5 330 claims 6. The pattern is consistent: the Core 3 100HL dominates multi-core and integer workloads, while the Core 5 330 excels in floating-point, prime-number finding, and single-threaded tasks.

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the Core 3 100HL in PassMark integer math, where it scores 56,308 against 33,258, a delta of 69.3%. That is a massive advantage for the desktop part. Data compression also heavily favors the Core 3 100HL at 202,225 versus 145,287, a 39.2% lead. Random string sorting swings 30.7% in favor of the Core 3 100HL with scores of 23,223 and 17,771.

The Cinebench suite is uniformly in favor of the Core 3 100HL. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the scores are 1,506 versus 1,325, a 13.7% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 212 versus 186, also a 14% edge. Cinebench R20 multi-core delivers 6,278 versus 5,523, and R20 single-core 886 versus 779, both with the same 13.7% delta. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: 14,948 versus 13,150 in multi-core and 2,110 versus 1,856 in single-core, again 13.7%. PassMark multithread follows with 17,586 versus 15,471, another 13.7% win for the Core 3 100HL. Data encryption goes to the Core 3 100HL by a narrower 8% margin, 11,964 versus 11,076.

The Core 5 330 strikes back in several specialized workloads. The most dramatic reversal is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 5 330 scores 114 versus just 48 for the Core 3 100HL, a 57.9% advantage. PassMark physics also favors the Core 5 330 at 1,201 versus 928, a 22.7% lead. Floating-point math goes to the Core 5 330 by 4%, with scores of 43,885 and 42,108. Extended instructions favor the Core 5 330 by 2.7%, 12,808 versus 12,463. Finally, PassMark single-thread shows the Core 5 330 ahead by 8.6%, scoring 4,088 versus 3,735.

Looking at the aggregate data, the Core 3 100HL records an average benchmark score of 23,545, placing it in the 76th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 330 averages 18,345, which sits in the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 3 100HL include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U at 23,709 (0.7% higher), the Intel Core i5-11500 at 23,718 (0.7% higher), the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V at 23,297 (1.1% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H at 23,277 (1.2% lower). For the Core 5 330, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18,318 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core 7 360 at 18,374 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i3-13100 at 18,380 (0.2% higher), and the Intel Core 3 305 at 18,302 (0.2% lower). These rivalries place both parts in the same general performance class as their respective peers, but the gap between the two reviewed chips is substantial.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core 3 100HL wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 330 wins 6.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the Core 3 100HL leads by 69.3% with a score of 56,308 versus 33,258.

Q: In which workloads does the Core 5 330 outperform the Core 3 100HL?

A: The Core 5 330 wins in find prime numbers (114 versus 48, a 57.9% advantage), physics (1,201 versus 928, a 22.7% lead), floating-point math (43,885 versus 42,108, a 4% edge), extended instructions (12,808 versus 12,463, a 2.7% lead), and single-thread tests (4,088 versus 3,735, an 8.6% advantage).

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Core 3 100HL scores 14,948, which is 13.7% higher than the Core 5 330's 13,150.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Core 3 100HL has an average benchmark score of 23,545, and the Core 5 330 has an average of 18,345.

Q: How do their overall performance percentiles compare?

A: The Core 3 100HL sits in the 76th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 330 sits in the 72nd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families and process nodes. The Intel Core 3 100HL is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Core configuration differs significantly. The Core 3 100HL has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core 5 330 lacks hyper-threading, resulting in a 1:1 core-to-thread ratio. The Core 3 100HL provides 8 physical cores plus 4 additional threads.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. The Core 3 100HL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache total, 2.5 MB of L2 cache total, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 3 100HL's per-core L2 allocation is larger, and its shared L3 is double that of the Core 5 330.

Memory support also diverges. The Core 3 100HL supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Core 3 100HL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are different. The Core 3 100HL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 48 execution units. The Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The market segments also differ: the Core 3 100HL is a desktop part, while the Core 5 330 is a mobile part.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 3 100HL and Intel Core 5 330 differ in several core specifications. The base clock of the Core 3 100HL is 2.10 GHz, while the Core 5 330 runs at 1.50 GHz. Both share the same boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Thermal design power varies considerably: the Core 3 100HL is rated at 45 W, the Core 5 330 at 15 W.

Sockets are incompatible. The Core 3 100HL uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516. The release dates differ, with the Core 3 100HL released on April 7, 2024, and the Core 5 330 on April 15, 2026. The Core 5 330 has a launch MSRP of $309.

The Core 5 330 has a part number of SAE3G, while the Core 3 100HL lists a part number of "unknown". Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Neither supports ECC memory. The process nodes differ at 10 nm for the Core 3 100HL and 3 nm for the Core 5 330. Memory bus width differs as noted: dual-channel for the Core 3 100HL, single-channel for the Core 5 330.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core 3 100HL is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads. Its 8-core, 12-thread configuration with a 45 W TDP and dual-channel memory support delivers consistent 13.7% advantages across the Cinebench suite and multithread tests. The 69.3% lead in integer math and 39.2% lead in data compression make it the clear choice for desktop productivity tasks that rely on parallel execution and data throughput. Its average benchmark score of 23,545 places it in the 76th percentile, comfortably ahead of the Core 5 330's 18,345 average and 72nd percentile.

The Intel Core 5 330, however, shows strengths in specific niches. Its single-thread score of 4,088 beats the Core 3 100HL's 3,735 by 8.6%, indicating a faster per-core execution for lightly threaded applications. The 57.9% advantage in find prime numbers and 22.7% lead in physics suggest architectural efficiency in certain mathematical operations, possibly related to its newer 3 nm process. The 15 W TDP makes it a far lower-power mobile part, and its single-channel memory and 6 MB L3 cache reflect a more constrained platform.

For users analyzing pure performance from the recorded data, the Core 3 100HL wins the majority of benchmarks and delivers a higher average score. The Core 5 330 offers superior single-thread performance and wins in floating-point and prime-number workloads, but its fewer cores and threads limit its multi-core capability. The choice depends on workload: the Core 3 100HL for multi-core desktop tasks, the Core 5 330 for single-thread-sensitive mobile applications where power efficiency and newer process technology matter more than raw parallel throughput.