Core i3-3240 vs A10-9600P

Core i3-3240

2 Cores4 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012

A10-9600P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3240

2 / 4

2,352

+0.8%

2,333

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-3240 is positioned at rank 847 and the A10-9600P is on rank 572, so the A10-9600P offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3240

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

17492%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

16529%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

12001%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3615%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2864%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2505%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1435%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1416%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1289%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1289%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1275%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1241%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1223%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1218%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1207%

#847

Core i3-3240

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

100%

#848

Pentium G640T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $69

100%

#849

Core i7-5930K

MSRP: $583|Avg: $410

100%

#851

Core i3-3240T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $8

100%

#852

Athlon II X2 240

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

99%

#854

Core i5-2500S

MSRP: $192|Avg: $61

99%

#856

Athlon X2 BE-2400

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

98%

#857

Core i3-2102

MSRP: $117|Avg: $15

97%

#858

Pentium G850

MSRP: $86|Avg: $75

97%

#859

Core i5-3475S

MSRP: $249|Avg: $42

97%

#860

Core i7-2600K

MSRP: $317|Avg: $109

97%

#861

Pentium G860

MSRP: $86|Avg: $36

97%

#862

Athlon II X2 245

MSRP: $66|Avg: $15

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A10-9600P

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

99%

#179

Core i7-1260P

MSRP: $432|Avg: $432

99%

#560

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

755%

#561

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

744%

#562

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

683%

#563

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

680%

#564

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

673%

#566

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

650%

#567

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

623%

#568

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

622%

#569

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

606%

#572

A10-9600P

MSRP: $128|Avg: $50

100%

#583

Processor N100

MSRP: $128|Avg: $100

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-3240 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the A10-9600P in both compute-intensive tasks (0.8% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-3240	A10-9600P
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-3240 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 70% cheaper ($15 vs $50) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-3240	A10-9600P
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+236%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-3240 Benchmark Check

A10-9600P Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3240 and A10-9600P

Core i3-3240

The Core i3-3240 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,352 points. Launch price was $75.

A10-9600P

The A10-9600P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,333 points. Launch price was $130.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-3240 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A10-9600P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A10-9600P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 versus 3.3 GHz on the A10-9600P — a 3% clock advantage for the Core i3-3240 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-3240 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the A10-9600P uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3240 scores 2,352 against the A10-9600P's 2,333 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-3240.

Feature	Core i3-3240	A10-9600P
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+42%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	22 nm-21%	28 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,352	2,333
Geekbench 6 Single	—	469

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3240 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A10-9600P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3240	A10-9600P
Socket	LGA1155	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3240) / AMD-V (A10-9600P). The A10-9600P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5), while the Core i3-3240 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-9600P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A10-9600P rivals Core i3-6006U.

Feature	Core i3-3240	A10-9600P
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon R5
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-3240 launched at $132 MSRP, while the A10-9600P debuted at $128. At current prices ($15 vs $50), the Core i3-3240 is $35 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3240 delivers 156.8 pts/$ vs 46.7 pts/$ for the A10-9600P — making the Core i3-3240 the 108.3% better value option.