Intel Core i3-3240T vs Intel Core i7-990X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i3-3240T and Intel Core i7-990X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score.

Intel Core i3-3240T

Intel Core i7-990X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i3-3240T

CPU is newer: launch date 1 year(s) 7 month(s) later
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 22 nm vs 32 nm
Around 33% higher maximum memory size: 32 GB vs 24 GB
3.7x lower typical power consumption: 35 Watt vs 130 Watt

Launch date	September 2012 vs February 2011
Manufacturing process technology	22 nm vs 32 nm
Maximum memory size	32 GB vs 24 GB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	35 Watt vs 130 Watt

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-990X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
4 more cores, run more applications at once: 6 vs 2
8 more threads: 12 vs 4
Around 29% higher clock speed: 3.73 GHz vs 2.9 GHz
Around 4% higher maximum core temperature: 67.9°C vs 65.0°C
3x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
3x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
4x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 1% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 1574 vs 1559
3.4x better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 7119 vs 2071
Around 24% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 665 vs 537
3.1x better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 3608 vs 1155

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	6 vs 2
Number of threads	12 vs 4
Maximum frequency	3.73 GHz vs 2.9 GHz
Maximum core temperature	67.9°C vs 65.0°C
L1 cache	64 KB (per core) vs 64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core) vs 256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	12288 KB (shared) vs 3072 KB (shared)
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	1574 vs 1559
PassMark - CPU mark	7119 vs 2071
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	665 vs 537
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	3608 vs 1155

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i3-3240T
CPU 2: Intel Core i7-990X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

1559

1574

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2071

7119

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

537

665

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1155

3608

Name	Intel Core i3-3240T	Intel Core i7-990X
PassMark - Single thread mark	1559	1574
PassMark - CPU mark	2071	7119
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	537	665
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1155	3608
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score		0

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i3-3240T	Intel Core i7-990X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Ivy Bridge	Gulftown
Launch date	September 2012	February 2011
Place in performance rating	2188	2174
Processor Number	i3-3240T	i7-990X
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Launch price (MSRP)		$1,104
Price now		$349.99
Value for money (0-100)		7.65
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	2.90 GHz	3.46 GHz
Bus Speed	5 GT/s DMI	6.4 GT/s QPI
Die size	94 mm	239 mm2
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	3072 KB (shared)	12288 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	22 nm	32 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	65 °C
Maximum core temperature	65.0°C	67.9°C
Maximum frequency	2.9 GHz	3.73 GHz
Number of cores	2	6
Number of threads	4	12
Number of QPI Links		1
Transistor count		1170 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range		0.800V-1.375V
Memory
Max memory channels	2	3
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size	32 GB	24 GB
Supported memory types	DDR3 1333/1600	DDR3 1066
Graphics
Device ID	0x152
Graphics base frequency	650 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency	1.05 GHz
Graphics max frequency	1.05 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Intel® InTru™ 3D technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Processor graphics	Intel® HD Graphics 2500
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	3
Wireless Display (WiDi) support
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm	42.5mm X 45.0mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1155	FCLGA1366
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	35 Watt	130 Watt
Thermal Solution	2011A
Peripherals
PCI Express revision	2.0
PCIe configurations	up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 & 2x4
Security & Reliability
Anti-Theft technology
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Flexible Display interface (FDI)
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.2
Intel 64
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® My WiFi technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Physical Address Extensions (PAE)		36-bit
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)