AMD FX-6330

The AMD FX-6330 is a desktop processor from the FX (Vishera) generation, built on the Piledriver architecture and manufactured on a 32nm process by GlobalFoundries. Released on December 14, 2015, this six-core, six-thread chip operates with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The database currently holds no recorded benchmark scores for this part, and its average benchmark score sits at zero, but the percentile rank against all tracked CPUs is 50, placing it precisely at the midpoint of the performance distribution.

Benchmark Performance

The FX-6330's benchmark array is empty, meaning no direct synthetic or real-world scores have been logged in this database. The average benchmark score of 0 is a placeholder value, not an indication of performance. However, the percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs provides a meaningful anchor: this processor sits exactly at the median. In practical terms, this means half of all tracked processors outperform it, and half fall behind. This is a classic mid-pack positioning, suggesting a balanced capability for general desktop tasks. Without nearestRivals data, there are no exact percentage deltas to report against specific competitors. The data indicates that the FX-6330 is not a performance leader, nor is it a bottom-tier part. Its position at the 50th percentile implies that it can handle everyday computing, light productivity, and older games, but it will be outclassed by modern high-core-count parts. The lack of recorded scores also suggests that this end-of-life processor has not been a focus of recent benchmarking efforts, which is consistent with its 2015 release date. The empty benchmark array means that any attempt to quantify its speed against specific workloads would be speculative, so the percentile rank remains the only quantitative performance indicator available. This median standing is a double-edged sword: it guarantees a baseline level of competence, but it also signals that the processor offers no exceptional headroom for demanding applications. For a user evaluating this chip, the 50th percentile is a clear signal that it belongs in a value-oriented system rather than a high-performance workstation.

Power and Thermals

The FX-6330 carries a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 watts. This is a substantial power envelope for a six-core processor, particularly one built on a 32nm process. The die size is 315 mm², housing 1,200 million transistors, which explains the high thermal output. A TDP of 125W indicates that the processor requires a robust cooling solution. In practical terms, this means a high-end air cooler or a basic liquid cooling loop is necessary to maintain stable operation under sustained loads. The data does not specify a cooler size, but the thermal class is clear: this is not a chip that can run on a low-profile or stock-style cooler. The 32nm manufacturing process from GlobalFoundries is relatively old by modern standards, and the power density is significant. For system builders, the 125W TDP dictates the power supply and case airflow requirements. The end-of-life status means that thermal management is a known quantity, but it also implies that the chip's efficiency is not competitive with newer, smaller-node processors. The 125W figure is a hard constraint for any system design using this part. It also affects the motherboard selection, as the AM3+ platform's power delivery circuitry must be capable of supplying this sustained current. The high TDP is a direct consequence of the 1,200 million transistors operating at a 3.60 GHz base clock, and the boost to 4.20 GHz will push power consumption even higher under load. Users must plan for adequate ventilation, as the 125W envelope will generate significant heat in a closed chassis.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The FX-6330 features six physical cores and six threads, with no simultaneous multithreading (SMT) enabled. This means it relies entirely on its physical core count for parallel workloads. The base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz show a 0.60 GHz boost headroom. This boost behavior is crucial for single-threaded tasks, as the processor can dynamically raise the clock on one or more cores to improve responsiveness. For single-thread-bound applications, the 4.20 GHz boost clock provides a decent level of performance, though the Piledriver architecture is not known for exceptional instructions-per-clock (IPC). For multi-threaded workloads, the six physical cores are a solid foundation, and the shared 8 MB L3 cache helps reduce memory latency across cores. The L1 cache is 288 KB, and the L2 cache is 6 MB, which are allocated per core (48 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core). This cache hierarchy is adequate for the era. In real-world terms, the split means that the FX-6330 will handle lightly threaded tasks like web browsing and office applications with reasonable speed, but its true strength lies in heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific simulations that can utilize all six cores. The lack of SMT means that it will not gain the extra thread efficiency seen in some rivals, but the physical cores provide consistent scaling in well-optimized software. The memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, delivered via a dual-channel DDR3 interface, is a limiting factor for multi-threaded performance, as data-intensive workloads may saturate this bandwidth. The 0.60 GHz difference between base and boost is notable; it allows the processor to conserve power during idle or light tasks while unlocking full speed when a single thread demands it. This behavior is particularly beneficial for legacy software that is not optimized for multiple cores, where the boost clock becomes the primary driver of perceived speed.

Platform and Compatibility

The FX-6330 is designed for the AMD Socket AM3+ platform. This socket supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a theoretical memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The memory controller does not support ECC memory, which limits its use in error-sensitive server or workstation environments. The processor's PCIe interface is Gen 2, which is an older standard compared to modern Gen 3 or Gen 4. This means that graphics cards and NVMe drives will operate at reduced bandwidth, though for a processor of this era, it is an expected limitation. Integrated graphics are not present on the CPU die; instead, they are provided as a chipset feature on certain motherboards. This means a discrete graphics card is required for any display output. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported through multiplier adjustment, although base clock (BCLK) adjustments might be possible on some motherboards. The processor was released on December 14, 2015, and its production status is end-of-life. This has significant implications for upgrade paths. The AM3+ platform is legacy, and no new motherboards are being produced. Users on this platform are limited to other AM3+ processors, but the FX-6330 itself is a mid-range option. The part number is FD6330WMW6KHK, which identifies the specific SKU. The 32nm process and the 315 mm² die size are fixed characteristics of this design. For a system builder, the AM3+ platform requires DDR3 memory, which is now outdated, and PCIe Gen 2 limits modern GPU performance. The lack of ECC support further narrows its applicability. The dual-channel memory bus, while standard for the time, offers only 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth, which is a bottleneck for memory-intensive applications. The socket's longevity has been a positive factor historically, but with end-of-life status, the upgrade path is effectively closed. Users looking to improve performance would need to move to a completely different platform, as the AM3+ socket has no forward compatibility with newer AMD architectures.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field in the database is empty, meaning there are no directly recorded competitor scores or delta percentages for the FX-6330. Consequently, a direct numerical comparison against specific named rivals is not possible from the available data. However, the percentile rank of 50 provides a broad comparative anchor. Against the entire universe of CPUs tracked by this database, the FX-6330 sits exactly at the median. This means that in a head-to-head against an average CPU, it would be evenly matched. In the absence of rival data, the analysis must rely on the processor's own characteristics. With six cores and a 4.20 GHz boost, it offers a certain level of parallel throughput, but the 125W TDP and 32nm process place it in a less efficient category than newer parts. The lack of recorded benchmarks for this part also suggests that it has not been a popular subject for testing, which is typical for an end-of-life product. The empty nearestRivals list means that no specific competitor has been logged as a direct comparison, so any claims about beating or losing to a particular chip would be speculative and are therefore omitted. The data simply shows a mid-pack processor with a defined thermal and platform footprint. Its 50th percentile standing is a useful reference point, but it does not illuminate how it performs against specific contemporaries like other six-core parts from the same era. The absence of rival data also means that the FX-6330's relative strengths in multi-threaded workloads cannot be quantified against, for example, Intel's offerings of the same generation. The processor's six cores and 4.20 GHz boost are its primary assets, but without comparative benchmarks, these remain abstract figures. The 125W TDP and DDR3 support are further distinguishing characteristics, but again, they lack a comparative baseline. In summary, the FX-6330 is a median performer that occupies a specific niche in the legacy AM3+ ecosystem, and its comparison to rivals is limited to the broad percentile data rather than specific matchup statistics.