Intel Core i3-3240 vs AMD Phenom II X2 550

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i3-3240 or Intel Core i3-3240 – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i3-3240 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-3240, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
The AMD Phenom II X2 550 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 2 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2009 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD Phenom II series.
To use the AMD Phenom II X2 550, you'll need a motherboard with a AM3 socket.
Intel Core i 3000 Group AMD Phenom II - 545
3 Generation 2
Intel Core i3-3240 Name AMD Phenom II X2 550
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i3 Family AMD Phenom II
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i3-3240 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-3240 is 3.4 GHz
The AMD Phenom II X2 550 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Phenom II X2 550 is 3.1 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
3.4 GHz Frequency 3.1 GHz
2 CPU Cores 2
No Overclocking Yes
Yes Hyperthreading No
2x Cores 2x
4 Threads 2
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i3-3240 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-3240 uses the Intel HD Graphics 2500, which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The AMD Phenom II X2 550 does not have integrated graphics.
1.05 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
22 nm Technology --
11.0 Direct X --
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
6 Execution units --
Q2/2012 Release date --
Intel HD Graphics 2500 GPU name
48 Shaders --
0.65 GHz GPU frequency --
7 Generation --
-- Max. displays --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
No VP9 --
No VP8 --
Decode VC-1 --
Decode JPEG --
Decode / Encode h264 --
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
Decode / Encode AVC --
No AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1333, DDR2-1066
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth --
Yes AES-NI No
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
32.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
2 Memory channels 2
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 55 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 80 W watts.
55 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 80 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i3-3240 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Phenom II X2 550 is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V
22 nm Technology 45 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE3, SSE4a
-- Part Number --
Monolithic Chip design --
Q3/2012 Release date Q4/2009
117 $ Release price --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
3.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
LGA 1155 Socket AM3
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Ivy Bridge S Architecture Callisto (K10)
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i3-3240
2C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
5576
5576
AMD Phenom II X2 550
2C 2T @ 3.1 GHz
3082
3082

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-3240
2C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
2648
2648
AMD Phenom II X2 550
2C 2T @ 3.1 GHz
1672
1672

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i3-3240
2C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
306
306
AMD Phenom II X2 550
2C 2T @ 3.1 GHz
157
157