Core i3-3250 vs Phenom II X4 840

Core i3-3250 vs Phenom II X4 840 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-3250

2 / 4

2,460

+0.4%

2,449

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i3-3250 vs Phenom II X4 840 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 i3-3250 vs Phenom II X4 840: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3250

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 95W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 840 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 840

2011

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,449 vs 2,460).
❌72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3250 better than Phenom II X4 840?

Yes. Core i3-3250 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-3250 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-3250 is the better buy right now. Core i3-3250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-3250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3250 vs Phenom II X4 840 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Phenom II X4 840

The Phenom II X4 840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,449 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3250 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 840 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 840 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-3250 versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 840 — a 9% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-3250 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 840 uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3250 scores 2,460 against the Phenom II X4 840's 2,449 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-3250. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250 vs 0 kB on the Phenom II X4 840.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Phenom II X4 840
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Propus (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,460	2,449

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3250 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 840 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.