Core i3-3240
Ryzen 7 3700X
Core i3-3240 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum
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.
Core i3-3240 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i3-3240 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: 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
2012Why buy it
- ✅Costs $197 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (2,352 vs 22,430).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.8 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
Ryzen 7 3700X
2019Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +358.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).
- ✅Delivers 282.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌149.2% HIGHER MSRP$329 MSRPvs$132 MSRP
- ❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i3-3240?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-3240 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.
Ryzen 7 3700X
The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3240 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 25.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-3240 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3240 scores 2,352 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 162% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | Core i3-3240 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 8 / 16+300% |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 32 MB+967% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-68% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 2,352 | 22,430+854% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3240 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-3240 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i3-3240 was priced at $132, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($132 vs $329), Core i3-3240 was $197 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3240 delivers 17.8 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 117.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-3240 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $132-60% | $329 |
| Performance per Dollar | 17.8 | 68.2+283% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2019 |
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