Core i7-720QM vs Core i3-3240

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2037	2298
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	2.62	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	no data	Intel Core i7
Architecture codename	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
Release date	3 September 2012 (11 years ago)	23 September 2009 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$75	$546
Current price	$77 (1x MSRP)	$418 (0.8x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM 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)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	4	8
Base clock speed	3.4 GHz	1.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.4 GHz	2.8 GHz
Bus support	no data	2500 MHz
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)	6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	22 nm	45 nm
Die size	94 mm2	296 mm2
Maximum core temperature	65 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	65 °C	no data
Number of transistors	no data	774 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM 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	FCPGA988,PGA988
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM. 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
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	-	1.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
PAE	no data	36 Bit
FDI	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM 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 i7-720QM 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 i7-720QM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
Maximum memory size	32 GB	8 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 2500	None
Quick Sync Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.05 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

3

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM.

PCIe version	2.0	2
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 i3-3240 outperforms Core i7-720QM by 40% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.50	1.07
Recency	3 September 2012	23 September 2009
Physical cores	2	4
Threads	4	8
Cost	$75	$546
Chip lithography	22 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	45 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240 and Core i7-720QM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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