i3-3240 vs i7-4950HQ
Aggregate performance score
Core i7-4950HQ outperforms Core i3-3240 by a whopping 184% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1385 | 2164 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 2.62 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop processor |
| Series | Intel Core i7 | no data |
| Power efficiency | 8.36 | 2.51 |
| Architecture codename | Crystalwell (2013−2014) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| Release date | 7 June 2013 (11 years ago) | 3 September 2012 (12 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $657 | $75 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 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 | 4 (Quad-Core) | 2 (Dual-core) |
| Threads | 8 | 4 |
| Base clock speed | 2.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.6 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 2.0 | no data |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | 5 GT/s |
| Multiplier | 24 | no data |
| L1 cache | 64K (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 256K (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 8 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Die size | 264 mm2 | 94 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | 100 °C | no data |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 100 °C | 65 °C |
| Number of transistors | 1,400 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 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 | FCBGA1364 | FCLGA1155 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 47 Watt | 55 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2 | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX |
| AES-NI | + | - |
| AVX | + | + |
| vPro | + | no data |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| My WiFi | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | - |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | + |
| TSX | + | - |
| Idle States | + | + |
| Thermal Monitoring | + | + |
| FDI | + | + |
Security technologies
Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 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 i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | - |
| VT-d | + | - |
| VT-x | + | + |
| EPT | + | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory size | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Max memory channels | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card Compare | Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 | Intel HD Graphics 2500 |
| Max video memory | 2 GB | no data |
| Quick Sync Video | + | + |
| Clear Video HD | + | + |
| Graphics max frequency | 1.3 GHz | 1.05 GHz |
| InTru 3D | + | + |
Graphics interfaces
Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 integrated GPUs.
| Number of displays supported | 3 | 3 |
| eDP | + | no data |
| DisplayPort | + | - |
| HDMI | + | - |
| VGA | + | no data |
Graphics image quality
Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.
| Max resolution over HDMI 1.4 | 3840x2160@30Hz | no data |
| Max resolution over DisplayPort | 3840x2160@60Hz | no data |
| Max resolution over VGA | 2880x1800@60Hz | no data |
Graphics API support
APIs supported by Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.
| DirectX | 11.2/12 | no data |
| OpenGL | 4.3 | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240.
| PCIe version | 3 | 2.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 16 | no data |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 4.15 | 1.46 |
| Integrated graphics card | 3.06 | 0.69 |
| Recency | 7 June 2013 | 3 September 2012 |
| Physical cores | 4 | 2 |
| Threads | 8 | 4 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 47 Watt | 55 Watt |
i7-4950HQ has a 184.2% higher aggregate performance score, 343.5% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 9 months, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and 17% lower power consumption.
The Core i7-4950HQ is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3240 in performance tests.
Be aware that Core i7-4950HQ is a notebook processor while Core i3-3240 is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4950HQ and Core i3-3240, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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