Core i7-860S vs Core i3-3240
Core i7-860S
Core i3-3240
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-860S is positioned at rank 1033 and the Core i3-3240 is on rank 847, so the Core i3-3240 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-860S
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3240
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($96) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+548%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($96) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-860S and Core i3-3240
Core i7-860S
The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-860S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-3240 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-860S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 — a 1.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-860S (base: 2.53 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-860S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3240 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860S scores 2,324 against the Core i3-3240's 2,352 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-3240. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+2% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.53 GHz | 3.4 GHz+34% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+167% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,324 | 2,352+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 451 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,332 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-860S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3240 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: Yes (Core i7-860S) / not specified (Core i3-3240).
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | Yes | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-860S launched at $299 MSRP, while the Core i3-3240 debuted at $132. At current prices ($96 vs $15), the Core i3-3240 is $81 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-860S delivers 24.2 pts/$ vs 156.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-3240 — making the Core i3-3240 the 146.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $132-56% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $96 | $15-84% |
| Performance per Dollar | 24.2 | 156.8+548% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2012 |
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