Intel Core i3-330M
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-330M Specifications
Core i3-330M Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-330M features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-330M Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-330M benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-330M by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-330M Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-330M processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-330M's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Westmere Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-330M is built on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-330M incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Westmere Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-330M by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i3-330M Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-330M has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 35W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket G1 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-330M uses the Intel Socket G1 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket G1 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-330M define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-330M determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-330M Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-330M includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-330M provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i3-330M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-330M is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-330M by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i3-330M Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i3-330M performs in parallel rendering workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i3-330M. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i3-330M. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i3-330M after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i3-330M maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i3-330M across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance. Higher scores indicate better capability in multitasking and content creation. The cross-platform nature of Geekbench allows direct comparison with systems running different operating systems.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i3-330M can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use. Many applications still depend primarily on single-thread performance. Gaming performance is also heavily influenced by single-core speed in CPU-limited scenarios.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i3-330M
The Intel Core i3-330M is a mobile processor from Intel, released on 06 January 2010, built on the Westmere architecture under the Arrandale codename. It is manufactured on Intel's 32 nm process, contains 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die, and fits the Intel Socket G1. The chip offers 2 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 2.13 GHz, a 35 W TDP, and no listed boost clock or unlocked multiplier. Its cache layout includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The database records an average benchmark score of 337 and places the processor at the 2nd percentile among all CPUs.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark set contains separate single-core and multi-core results. On the single-core side, the processor scores 275 in Geekbench, 51 in Cinebench R20, and 123 in Cinebench R23. These are modest numbers in absolute terms. The multi-core results are higher: Geekbench multi-core is 573, Cinebench R20 multi-core is 368, Cinebench R23 multi-core is 878, and Cinebench R15 multi-core is 88.
The gap between single-core and multi-core scores matters for workload behavior. A 2-core, 4-thread chip can keep more work in flight than a pure 2-core chip, and the higher multi-core figures reflect that additional parallel throughput. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score of 368 is considerably larger than the single-core score of 51. In R23, the multi-core result of 878 compares to a single-core result of 123. Geekbench shows the same pattern: 573 multi-core versus 275 single-core.
For software that cannot split work across threads, the single-core numbers set the ceiling. Lightly threaded tasks will therefore run closer to the 51, 123, or 275 results, depending on the benchmark generation. For software that can use all four threads, the relevant figures are the 368, 878, 573, or 88 results. The difference between the two groups is substantial, so the processor behaves noticeably differently depending on thread utilization. However, both groups of scores sit low in the overall database distribution, indicating a weak single-thread baseline with only a moderate multi-thread lift.
How It Compares
The closest listed rival is the Intel Pentium E6800. That chip has the same average benchmark score of 337, with a deltaPct of -0.1. Against this rival, the i3-330M is effectively tied.
The AMD Phenom II X2 550 also records a 337 average score, with a deltaPct of 0.1. The data shows no meaningful separation between the two processors in average performance.
The AMD Phenom X3 8550 has a 336 average score and a deltaPct of 0.2. It is the only listed rival below 337, but the difference is a rounding-level gap.
The AMD A4-4300M posts the highest rival average at 339, with a deltaPct of -0.6. Even in this case, the average sits only a few points above the i3-330M's 337. The nearest rivals are all tightly clustered around the same performance zone.
Benchmark Performance
The i3-330M's average benchmark score is 337, and its four nearest rivals have average scores between 336 and 339. The corresponding deltaPct values are -0.1, 0.1, 0.2, and -0.6. These are extremely narrow gaps, which makes the competitive field around this processor nearly indistinguishable by average score alone.
Looking inside the benchmark data, the component scores show where the processor stands. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the chip scores 88. In Cinebench R20, it scores 368 multi-core and 51 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 878 multi-core and 123 single-core. In Geekbench, it scores 573 multi-core and 275 single-core. Across these tests, the multi-core figures are consistently higher than the single-core figures, but the raw values remain low relative to the wider CPU database.
The 2nd percentile placement reinforces that point. The i3-330M ranks above only 2% of CPUs in the database, which places it near the bottom of the distribution. The exact deltaPct values against the nearest rivals show that the small group of processors surrounding it is crowded at essentially the same performance level. None of the listed rivals moves far from the 337 average, and the i3-330M sits inside that cluster.
FAQ
Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Core i3-330M have?
A: It has 2 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is 2.13 GHz, and no boost clock is listed in the data.
Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?
A: No. The fact pack lists ECC memory support as false. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 17.1 GB/s.
Q: What PCIe configuration is available?
A: The processor provides PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes, CPU only. Integrated graphics are listed as available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?
A: No. The multiplier unlocked field is false, so the processor does not offer unlocked multiplier overclocking.
Q: What socket does the processor use?
A: It uses the Intel Socket G1. Its production status is end-of-life, and it was released on 06 January 2010.
Q: Does the processor include integrated graphics by itself?
A: The fact pack states that integrated graphics are "on certain motherboards (Chipset feature)." This indicates that graphics capability is tied to the motherboard chipset rather than being a guaranteed part of the processor package.
Who Should Consider It
The workload profile depends heavily on whether software can use the four threads. For gaming workloads that depend on strong single-thread performance, the single-core scores are limiting: Geekbench 275, Cinebench R20 51, and Cinebench R23 123. Games built around one or two dominant threads will be constrained by these figures. The multi-core results do not directly solve that bottleneck because the single-thread ceiling is low.
For creation workloads that can parallelize, the multi-core numbers are more relevant. Geekbench multi-core is 573, Cinebench R23 multi-core is 878, Cinebench R20 multi-core is 368, and Cinebench R15 multi-core is 88. These scores show that the chip can provide substantially more throughput when all four threads are loaded, compared to its single-thread results. Still, the absolute scores are low in the overall database, so the processor is better suited to lighter parallel tasks than to demanding rendering workloads.
For office usage, the single-thread results set expectations. Many office tasks are lightly threaded, so performance will follow the 275 Geekbench and 123 Cinebench R23 single-core figures rather than the multi-core figures. The 35 W TDP and mobile market segment indicate a processor designed for portable, lower-power systems rather than high-performance desktops. The data suggests the i3-330M fits legacy mobile machines that run older or undemanding software and that can make some use of its 4 threads.
Platform and Compatibility
The i3-330M is built for the Intel Socket G1 platform. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with memory bandwidth listed at 17.1 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The processor provides PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes, CPU only. Integrated graphics are described as available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature, which makes the graphics capability dependent on the surrounding platform rather than guaranteed by the processor itself.
The processor is based on the Westmere architecture with the Arrandale codename, manufactured on a 32 nm process. It uses 382 million transistors and has an 81 mm² die size. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. There is no listed boost clock, so the 2.13 GHz base frequency represents the operating limit in the data.
The production status is end-of-life, which defines the upgrade context. Any upgrade path exists only within the Intel Socket G1 platform, and the end-of-life status means the data does not indicate ongoing production of new chips for this socket. The processor also has a locked multiplier, so overclocking through unlocked clock ratios is not an option. The platform is therefore a fixed, legacy environment centered on DDR3 memory, PCIe Gen 2, and the Intel Socket G1.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i3-330M
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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