Core i5-680 vs Core i3-3240

General info

Comparing Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2019	1926
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Value for money	2.62	0.36
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Architecture codename	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date	3 September 2012 (11 years old)	19 April 2010 (13 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)	$75	$272
Current price	$78 (1x MSRP)	$57 (0.2x MSRP)

i3-3240 has 628% better value for money than i5-680.

Technical specs

Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680 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	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.4 GHz	3.86 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	3 MB (shared)	4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	22 nm	32 nm
Die size	94 mm2	81 mm2
Maximum core temperature	65 °C	73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	65 °C	no data
Number of transistors	no data	382 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680 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	FCLGA1155	FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI	-	+
AVX	+	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	no data	36 Bit
FDI	+	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+
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 i5-680 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 i5-680. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	32 GB	16.6 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

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

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

3

2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	no data	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.

Core i5-680 outperforms Core i3-3240 by 13% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Advantages and disadvantages

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Performance score	1.51	1.71
Recency	3 September 2012	19 April 2010
Cost	$75	$272
Chip lithography	22 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	73 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240 and Core i5-680, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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