i3-3240 vs i7-5820K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-5820K
2014
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
6.20
+322%
Core i3-3240
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.47

Core i7-5820K outperforms Core i3-3240 by a whopping 322% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10882176
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.192.62
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency4.192.53
Architecture codenameHaswell-E (2014)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date1 September 2014 (10 years ago)3 September 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$410$75

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i3-3240 has 120% better value for money than i7-5820K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-5820K 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads124
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.4 GHz
Bus rate0 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size356 mm294 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data65 °C
Number of transistors2,600 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-5820K 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI+-
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data-
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GB32 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth68 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.05 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes28no data

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.

i7-5820K 6.20
+322%
i3-3240 1.47

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.

i7-5820K 9841
+323%
i3-3240 2328

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.

i7-5820K 1171
+115%
i3-3240 545

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.

i7-5820K 5454
+389%
i3-3240 1115

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-5820K 12430
+373%
i3-3240 2630

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.20 1.47
Recency 1 September 2014 3 September 2012
Physical cores 6 2
Threads 12 4
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 55 Watt

i7-5820K has a 321.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

i3-3240, on the other hand, has 154.5% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-5820K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3240 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-5820K and Core i3-3240, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-5820K
Core i7-5820K
Intel Core i3-3240
Core i3-3240

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-5820K or Core i3-3240, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.