Core i3-3240 vs Core i7-3537U

Core i3-3240

2 Cores4 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012

Core i7-3537U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3240

2 / 4

2,352

+0.1%

2,349

0.0%

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 i7-3537U is on rank 1165, so the Core i3-3240 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 i7-3537U

#1153

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4321%

#1154

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4258%

#1155

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3909%

#1156

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3891%

#1157

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3855%

#1159

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3723%

#1160

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3570%

#1161

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3564%

#1162

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3468%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1166

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1167

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1168

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

100%

#1170

Celeron 1047UE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

99%

#1171

Core M-5Y70

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1172

Celeron U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

99%

#1173

Celeron T1600

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

98%

#1174

Pro A12-8800B

MSRP: $400|Avg: $40

98%

#1176

Core i7-2637M

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

96%

#1177

Core 2 Duo SL9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

96%

#1178

Athlon PRO 3045B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $180

96%

#1179

Core 2 Duo T5600

MSRP: $241|Avg: N/A

95%

#1180

Pentium N3510

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

95%

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 Core i7-3537U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.1% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-3240	Core i7-3537U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-3240 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 96% cheaper ($15 vs $346) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-3240	Core i7-3537U
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+2210%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)

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 i7-3537U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3240 and Core i7-3537U

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 i7-3537U

The Core i7-3537U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,349 points. Launch price was $346.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3240 and Core i7-3537U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3537U — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-3240 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-3240 scores 2,352 against the Core i7-3537U's 2,349 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-3240. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3537U.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core i7-3537U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+70%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,352	2,349

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3240 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3537U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core i7-3537U
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3240) / true (Core i7-3537U). The Core i7-3537U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i3-3240 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3537U rivals AMD A10-4655M.