i7-5600U vs i3-3240

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-3240
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.46
Core i7-5600U
2015
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
1.91
+30.8%

Core i7-5600U outperforms Core i3-3240 by a substantial 31% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21621953
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.62no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7
Power efficiency2.5112.05
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Broadwell-U (2015)
Release date3 September 2012 (12 years ago)1 March 2015 (9 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$75$393

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.4 GHz2.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm14 nm
Die size94 mm282 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)65 °C105 °C
Number of transistorsno data1300 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U 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
SocketFCLGA1155FCBGA1168
Power consumption (TDP)55 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI-+
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
SIPP-+
Smart Responseno data+
FDI++
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB16 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 2500Intel HD Graphics 5500
Max video memoryno data16 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHz950 MHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data2560x1600@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data3840x2160@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data11.2/12
OpenGLno data4.3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data12

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 1.46
i7-5600U 1.91
+30.8%

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.

i3-3240 2322
i7-5600U 3036
+30.7%

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.

i3-3240 547
i7-5600U 916
+67.5%

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.

i3-3240 1119
i7-5600U 1739
+55.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.46 1.91
Integrated graphics card 0.69 1.51
Recency 3 September 2012 1 March 2015
Chip lithography 22 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 55 Watt 15 Watt

i7-5600U has a 30.8% higher aggregate performance score, 118.8% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 2 years, a 57.1% more advanced lithography process, and 266.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-5600U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3240 in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-3240 is a desktop processor while Core i7-5600U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240 and Core i7-5600U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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 i7-5600U
Core i7-5600U

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.7 1219 votes

Rate Core i3-3240 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.5 183 votes

Rate Core i7-5600U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-3240 or Core i7-5600U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.