Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 vs Core i3-3240

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Combined performance score

i3-3240
1.51

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms Core i3-3240 by 1% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking20122003
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money2.622.80
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore 2 Quad (Desktop)
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release date3 September 2012 (11 years old)no data
Launch price (MSRP)$75no data
Current price$78 (1x MSRP)$54
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

Core 2 Quad Q9550 has 7% better value for money than i3-3240.

Technical specs

Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550 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)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.4 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz2.83 GHz
Bus supportno data1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)12288 KB
L3 cache3 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography22 nm45 nm
Die size94 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature65 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)65 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550 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 configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1155LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)55 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AES-NI-no data
AVX+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+no data
FDI+no data
StatusDiscontinuedno data

Security technologies

Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550 are enumerated here.

VT-d-no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR1,DDR2,DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data
ECC memory support-no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2500no data
Quick Sync Video+no data
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 2 Quad Q9550 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550.

PCIe version2.0no 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.

i3-3240 1.51
Core 2 Quad Q9550 1.52
+0.7%

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms Core i3-3240 by 1% in our combined benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i3-3240 2316
Core 2 Quad Q9550 2337
+0.9%

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms Core i3-3240 by 1% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i3-3240 554
+50.5%
Core 2 Quad Q9550 368

Core i3-3240 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9550 by 51% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i3-3240 1136
+8.8%
Core 2 Quad Q9550 1044

Core i3-3240 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9550 by 9% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 1.51 1.52
Physical cores 2 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 55 Watt 95 Watt

We couldn't decide between Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550. The differences in performance seem too small.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Quad Q9550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

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 2 Quad Q9550
Core 2 Quad Q9550

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Questions and comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-3240 or Core 2 Quad Q9550, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.