Core i3-3240 vs Core i7-860S

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.

Core i3-3240 vs Core i7-860S FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-3240 vs Core i7-860S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-3240

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $167 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 129.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.8 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 82W, a 27W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-860S across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-860S.

Core i7-860S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-3240.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,324 vs 2,352).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).
❌49.1% higher power demand at 82W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3240 better than Core i7-860S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-860S is ahead with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3240 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-860S also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3240 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-3240 is the better buy right now. Core i3-3240 comes in $167 cheaper on MSRP at $132 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-860S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 129.2% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-3240 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3240 vs Core i7-860S Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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 i7-860S

The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3240 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-860S offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-860S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S — a 1.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-860S (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i3-3240 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-860S uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3240 scores 2,352 against the Core i7-860S's 2,324 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-3240. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core i7-860S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.46 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+34%	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,352+1%	2,324
Geekbench 6 Single	—	451
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,332

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3240 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-860S uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core i7-860S
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3240) / Yes (Core i7-860S).

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core i7-860S
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3240 was priced at $132, while the Core i7-860S came in at $299. On launch pricing ($132 vs $299), Core i3-3240 was $167 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3240 delivers 17.8 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-860S — making the Core i3-3240 the 78.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3240	Core i7-860S
MSRP	$132-56%	$299
Performance per Dollar	17.8+128%	7.8
Release Date	2012	2010

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