Core i3-3250T vs Ryzen 7 3700X

CPU

GPU

Core i3-3250T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i3-3250T vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Core i3-3250T

2 / 4

2,650

0.0%

Celeron N2810

Pentium Dual Core T2390

22,430

+746.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i3-3250T 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.

Core i3-3250T 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 i3-3250T

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $191 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2500, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,650 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +326.7% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 255.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 19.2 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
138.4% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$138 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3250T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i3-3250T?

Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 326.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 746.4% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 326.7% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 746.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 138.4% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 326.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 255.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 19.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013), 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3250T vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3250T

The Core i3-3250T 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 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: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,650 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3250T 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 GHz on the Core i3-3250T versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-3250T 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 i3-3250T scores 2,650 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 157.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250T vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	4.4 GHz+47%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
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	2,650	22,430+746%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3250T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3250T versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 3700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3250T) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Core i3-3250T) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	LGA1155	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

The Core i3-3250T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2500	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3250T was priced at $138, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($138 vs $329), Core i3-3250T was $191 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3250T delivers 19.2 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 112.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$138-58%	$329
Performance per Dollar	19.2	68.2+255%
Release Date	2013	2019

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