i9-11900K vs i3-3240

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-3240
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.46
Core i9-11900K
2021
8 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
15.87
+987%

Core i9-11900K outperforms Core i3-3240 by a whopping 987% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2163419
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.6218.19
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency2.5112.02
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Rocket Lake (2021)
Release date3 September 2012 (12 years ago)16 March 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$75$539

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-11900K has 594% better value for money than i3-3240.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads416
Base clock speed3.4 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s8 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512 KB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm14 nm
Die size94 mm2276 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)65 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K 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
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)55 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K. 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, Intel® AVX-512
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++
SIPP-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K 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 i9-11900K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s50 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 2500Intel UHD Graphics 750
Max video memoryno data64 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHz1.3 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data5120 x 3200 @60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanesno data20

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
i9-11900K 15.87
+987%

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 2323
i9-11900K 25206
+985%

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
i9-11900K 2398
+338%

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
i9-11900K 11020
+885%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.46 15.87
Integrated graphics card 0.69 4.49
Recency 3 September 2012 16 March 2021
Physical cores 2 8
Threads 4 16
Chip lithography 22 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 55 Watt 125 Watt

i3-3240 has 127.3% lower power consumption.

i9-11900K, on the other hand, has a 987% higher aggregate performance score, 550.7% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 8 years, 300% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 57.1% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i9-11900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3240 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3240 and Core i9-11900K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-3240
Core i3-3240
Intel Core i9-11900K
Core i9-11900K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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