Core i3-3240 vs Core 2 Duo T6600

Core i3-3240

2 Cores4 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3240

2 / 4

2,352

0.0%

2,355

+0.1%

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 Core 2 Duo T6600 is on rank 13, so the Core 2 Duo T6600 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 Core 2 Duo T6600

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

125%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

123%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

113%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

112%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

111%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

107%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

103%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

103%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

100%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

92%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

91%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

90%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

81%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

78%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

77%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

74%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

74%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-3240 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T6600 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-3240	Core 2 Duo T6600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)	✅ More affordable ($4)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo T6600 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 73% cheaper ($4 vs $15) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-3240	Core 2 Duo T6600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+275%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)	✅ More affordable ($4)

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

Core 2 Duo T6600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3240 and Core 2 Duo T6600

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.

Core 2 Duo T6600

The Core 2 Duo T6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,355 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-3240 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T6600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 — a 42.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-3240 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-3240 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3240 scores 2,352 against the Core 2 Duo T6600's 2,355 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo T6600. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core 2 Duo T6600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+55%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+55%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,352	2,355
Geekbench 6 Single	—	200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	350

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3240 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core 2 Duo T6600
Socket	LGA1155	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3240) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6600). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core 2 Duo T6600
Integrated GPU	—	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Legacy Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($15 vs $4), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3240 delivers 156.8 pts/$ vs 588.8 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T6600 — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 115.9% better value option.