i5-3210M vs i3-3240

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-3240
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.46
Core i5-3210M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.55
+6.2%

Core i5-3210M outperforms Core i3-3240 by a small 6% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21762129
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.62no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5
Power efficiency2.514.19
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date3 September 2012 (12 years ago)1 June 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$75$225

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.4 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz3.1 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size94 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)65 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)55 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® AVX
AES-NI-+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi++
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDI++
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key-+
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 2500Intel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-3240 1.46
i5-3210M 1.55
+6.2%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-3240 2327
i5-3210M 2464
+5.9%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i3-3240 545
+10.3%
i5-3210M 494

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i3-3240 1115
+11.6%
i5-3210M 999

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i3-3240 2630
i5-3210M 3250
+23.6%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.46 1.55
Integrated graphics card 0.69 1.18
Recency 3 September 2012 1 June 2012
Power consumption (TDP) 55 Watt 35 Watt

i3-3240 has an age advantage of 3 months.

i5-3210M, on the other hand, has a 6.2% higher aggregate performance score, 71% faster integrated GPU, and 57.1% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M.

Note that Core i3-3240 is a desktop processor while Core i5-3210M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240 and Core i5-3210M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i3-3240
Core i3-3240
Intel Core i5-3210M
Core i5-3210M

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.7 1229 votes

Rate Core i3-3240 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
2.5 2686 votes

Rate Core i5-3210M on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-3240 or Core i5-3210M, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.