i7-720QM vs i3-3240

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-3240
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.46
+40.4%
Core i7-720QM
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 45 Watt
1.04

Core i3-3240 outperforms Core i7-720QM by a considerable 40% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21762441
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.62no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7
Power efficiency2.512.19
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Clarksfield (2009−2010)
Release date3 September 2012 (12 years ago)24 June 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$75$546

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads48
Base clock speed3.4 GHz1.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz2.8 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 1.0
Bus rate5 GT/s2.5 GT/s
Multiplierno data12
L1 cache64 KB (per core)256 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1 MB
L3 cache3 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm45 nm
Die size94 mm2296 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)65 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data774 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1155FCPGA988,PGA988
Power consumption (TDP)55 Watt45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.2
AVX+-
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-1.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
PAEno data36 Bit
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key-no data
Identity Protection+-
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
Maximum memory size32 GB8 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21.335 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2500None
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM.

PCIe version2.02
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
+40.4%
i7-720QM 1.04

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
+40.3%
i7-720QM 1659

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
+78.1%
i7-720QM 306

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
+30.6%
i7-720QM 854

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.46 1.04
Recency 3 September 2012 24 June 2009
Physical cores 2 4
Threads 4 8
Chip lithography 22 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 55 Watt 45 Watt

i3-3240 has a 40.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, and a 104.5% more advanced lithography process.

i7-720QM, on the other hand, has 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and 22.2% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-3240 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-720QM in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-3240 is a desktop processor while Core i7-720QM is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-3240
Core i3-3240
Intel Core i7-720QM
Core i7-720QM

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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