Core i3-3250 vs Core i5-3210M

Core i3-3250

2 Cores4 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2013

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3250

2 / 4

2,460

0.0%

2,469

+0.4%

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 i3-3250 is positioned at rank 846 and the Core i5-3210M is on rank 158, so the Core i5-3210M 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 i3-3250

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

17483%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

16519%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11994%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3613%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2862%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2504%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1434%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1415%

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

1274%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1240%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1222%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1218%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1207%

#846

Core i3-3250

MSRP: $138|Avg: $40

100%

#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%

#855

Athlon X2 BE-2400

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

98%

#857

Pentium G850

MSRP: $86|Avg: $75

97%

#858

Core i3-2102

MSRP: $117|Avg: $15

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%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-3250 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3210M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-3250	Core i5-3210M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($40)	✅ More affordable ($30)
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 i5-3210M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 25% cheaper ($30 vs $40) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-3250	Core i5-3210M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+34%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($40)	✅ More affordable ($30)

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 i3-3250 Benchmark Check

Core i5-3210M Benchmark Check

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Counter-Strike 2

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3250 and Core i5-3210M

Core i3-3250

The Core i3-3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $138.

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3250 and Core i5-3210M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-3250 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M — a 12.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-3250 scores 2,460 against the Core i5-3210M's 2,469 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3210M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i5-3210M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+13%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+40%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,460	2,469
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,400

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3250 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3210M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i5-3210M
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3250) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M). The Core i5-3210M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i3-3250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i5-3210M
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Mainstream Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-3250 launched at $138 MSRP, while the Core i5-3210M debuted at $225. At current prices ($40 vs $30), the Core i5-3210M is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3250 delivers 61.5 pts/$ vs 82.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-3210M — making the Core i5-3210M the 28.9% better value option.