i3-3250 vs i5-680

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	2075	2135
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.12	0.21
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Power efficiency	2.16	2.65
Architecture codename	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date	19 April 2010 (14 years ago)	9 June 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$272	$138

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i3-3250 has 75% better value for money than i5-680.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250 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 cores	2 (Dual-core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	4	4
Base clock speed	3.6 GHz	3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.86 GHz	3.5 GHz
Bus rate	2.5 GT/s	5 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	4 MB (shared)	3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Die size	81 mm2	94 mm2
Maximum core temperature	73 °C	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	65 °C
Number of transistors	382 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
VID voltage range	0.65V-1.4V	no data

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA1156	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	73 Watt	55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	-	+
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	1.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
PAE	36 Bit	no data
FDI	+	+

Security technologies

Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250 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 i5-680 and Core i3-3250 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600
Maximum memory size	16.6 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	21 GB/s	25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card Compare	Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors	Intel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video	-	+
Clear Video HD	+	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.05 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

2

3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	16	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.67	1.54
Integrated graphics card	0.77	0.69
Recency	19 April 2010	9 June 2013
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	73 Watt	55 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-680 and Core i3-3250, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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