Core i3-3240T vs Core i5-2450M

Core i3-3240T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2012

Core i5-2450M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3240T

2 / 4

2,078

+0.1%

2,076

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 i3-3240T is positioned at rank 851 and the Core i5-2450M is on rank 1100, so the Core i3-3240T 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 i3-3240T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

17552%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

16584%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

12042%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3628%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2873%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2514%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1440%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1421%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1294%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1294%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1279%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1245%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1227%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1222%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1211%

#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

99%

#857

Core i3-2102

MSRP: $117|Avg: $15

98%

#858

Pentium G850

MSRP: $86|Avg: $75

98%

#859

Core i5-3475S

MSRP: $249|Avg: $42

98%

#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

97%

#863

Core i7-2700K

MSRP: $332|Avg: $45

97%

#865

Core i5-4670K

MSRP: $328|Avg: $200

96%

#866

Core i5-3330S

MSRP: $231|Avg: $30

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2450M

#1088

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3179%

#1089

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3132%

#1090

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2875%

#1091

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2862%

#1092

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2836%

#1094

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2739%

#1095

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2626%

#1096

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2622%

#1097

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2551%

#1100

Core i5-2450M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1101

Core i5-7Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1102

Core i5-7Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $100

100%

#1104

Pentium 997

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

98%

#1105

Pentium A1018

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

98%

#1106

Core i5-2430M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1108

Pentium Dual Core T4500

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

97%

#1109

Celeron B820

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

96%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

95%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

95%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

95%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

94%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-2450M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-3240T is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-3240T	Core i5-2450M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($8)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-3240T stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 96% cheaper ($8 vs $225) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-3240T	Core i5-2450M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+2715%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($8)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)

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 i3-3240T Benchmark Check

Core i5-2450M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3240T and Core i5-2450M

Core i3-3240T

The Core i3-3240T 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,078 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2450M

The Core i5-2450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $823.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3240T and Core i5-2450M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i3-3240T versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2450M — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-2450M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-3240T uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2450M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3240T scores 2,078 against the Core i5-2450M's 2,076 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-3240T. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-3240T	Core i5-2450M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,078	2,076
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,352
Geekbench 6 Single	—	453
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	871

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3240T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3240T	Core i5-2450M
Socket	LGA1155	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3240T) / true (Core i5-2450M). The Core i5-2450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i3-3240T requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2450M rivals AMD A8-3500M.