AMD A10-5800K vs Intel Core i3-3240 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-3240 has 2 physical cores but 4 threads through Hyper-Threading. The AMD part is a true quad-core design, whereas the Intel part relies on simultaneous multithreading to reach four threads.

Q: Which CPU scores higher in Geekbench single-core tests?

A: The Intel Core i3-3240 scores 650 in Geekbench single-core, which is 30.2% ahead of the AMD A10-5800K's 454. This is a substantial gap and reflects the Intel architecture's stronger per-core performance.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Geekbench performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-3240 scores 1233 in Geekbench multi-core, beating the AMD A10-5800K's 1102 by 10.6%. Despite having only two physical cores, the Intel chip outperforms the four-core AMD in this workload.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has an average benchmark score of 778, while the Intel Core i3-3240 has an average score of 761. The AMD part is slightly higher on average, but the Intel part has more benchmark entries in the database.

Q: Do both processors support overclocking?

A: No. The AMD A10-5800K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Intel Core i3-3240 has a locked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked in the traditional sense.

Q: Which processor has a smaller die size?

A: The Intel Core i3-3240 has a die size of 94 mm², while the AMD A10-5800K has a die size of 246 mm². The Intel chip is significantly more compact.

Architecture Differences

The AMD A10-5800K uses the Piledriver architecture on the Trinity codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The chip features 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache layout includes 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache present. The integrated graphics are Radeon HD 7660D, and it uses PCIe Gen 2.

The Intel Core i3-3240 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel. It packs 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and no boost clock. The die size is 94 mm². Cache configuration is different: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 2500, and it supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The architectural split is clear. AMD offers more physical cores, a higher clock speed, and a larger die with more cache at the L2 level. Intel counters with a smaller process node, a dedicated L3 cache, and a more efficient per-core design. The Intel chip's lack of a boost clock means it runs at a fixed 3.40 GHz, while the AMD part can dynamically reach 4.20 GHz under load.

Another key difference is the foundry and transistor count. AMD's chip is built at GlobalFoundries with 1,303 million transistors. Intel's transistor count is not recorded in the database, but its 94 mm² die on 22 nm indicates a denser integration. The TDP also differs substantially: the AMD part draws 100 W, while the Intel part is rated at 55 W. This makes the Intel chip far more power-efficient on paper.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-5800K wins in scenarios that favor raw core count and high clock speeds. Its 4 physical cores at a 4.20 GHz boost clock make it suitable for tasks that scale well across multiple threads, such as video encoding or multitasking with several lightly threaded applications. The unlocked multiplier also makes it a candidate for overclocking, which can extend its performance envelope beyond stock settings.

The Intel Core i3-3240 wins in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads. Its Geekbench single-core score of 650 versus 454 for the AMD chip shows a 30.2% advantage, which translates to snappier response in everyday applications, office work, and older games that rely on one or two cores. The Intel chip also has a more modern PCIe Gen 3 interface, which can be relevant for discrete GPUs and storage devices.

The data shows a clear division: the AMD part is built for throughput with more cores, while the Intel part is built for efficiency and per-core strength. For users running heavily threaded workloads, the AMD chip's extra cores may help. For users prioritizing single-core performance, the Intel chip is the better choice.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A10-5800K | Intel Core i3-3240 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | None |

| TDP | 100 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 94 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | None | 3 MB (shared) |

| PCIe Version | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon HD 7660D | Intel HD 2500 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2012-10-01 | 2012-09-02 |

The table highlights the fundamental differences. The AMD chip has more cores, a higher clock speed, and a larger die. The Intel chip has a smaller process node, an L3 cache, and a lower TDP. The Intel part also has a more advanced PCIe implementation. The AMD part is the only one with an unlocked multiplier. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, but the AMD chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Intel chip's bandwidth is not listed in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records two head-to-head benchmark results, both in Geekbench tests. The Intel Core i3-3240 wins both.

Geekbench Multi-Core: Intel Core i3-3240 scores 1233, AMD A10-5800K scores 1102. The Intel chip wins by 10.6%. This is notable because the AMD chip has two additional physical cores. The Intel chip's Hyper-Threading and superior per-core efficiency allow it to overcome the core-count disadvantage. In this test, the AMD chip's higher clock speed and additional cores do not translate into a win.

Geekbench Single-Core: Intel Core i3-3240 scores 650, AMD A10-5800K scores 454. The Intel chip wins by 30.2%. This is a decisive margin. The AMD chip's boost clock of 4.20 GHz is higher than the Intel chip's fixed 3.40 GHz, yet the Intel chip still dominates. This points to a major architectural advantage for Intel in per-core throughput.

The AMD A10-5800K has 0 wins in the head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i3-3240 has 2 wins. The average benchmark scores, however, tell a slightly different story. The AMD chip averages 778, and the Intel chip averages 761. This suggests that in the broader benchmark suite, the AMD chip is competitive or slightly ahead, despite losing both Geekbench tests. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD A8-6600K at -0.3% and the Intel Core i5-3210M at 0.4%, while the AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium G4520 at 0% and the Intel Core i3-7100 at -0.4%.

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each chip.

The AMD A10-5800K is for users who value physical core count and the ability to overclock. With 4 cores and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, it is a reasonable choice for multi-threaded workloads that can use all cores. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for enthusiasts willing to push the chip beyond stock settings. However, its 30.2% deficit in single-core Geekbench is a serious drawback for everyday responsiveness. The 100 W TDP also makes it a less efficient option for power-conscious builds.

The Intel Core i3-3240 is for users who prioritize single-thread performance and efficiency. Its 30.2% single-core lead over the AMD chip is the largest margin in the recorded benchmarks. The 55 W TDP is nearly half of the AMD chip's, making it easier to cool and cheaper to run. The lack of an unlocked multiplier is a limitation, but the chip does not need overclocking to outperform the AMD part in the tested Geekbench workloads. Its 10.6% multi-core win, despite having only 2 physical cores, shows that Intel's architecture is more efficient at extracting performance per thread.

The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward: the Intel Core i3-3240 wins in every head-to-head benchmark, and it does so with lower power consumption and a smaller die. The AMD A10-5800K offers more cores and a higher clock speed, but those advantages do not materialize into benchmark wins in the database. Users who rely on Geekbench-style workloads should choose the Intel chip. Users who need raw core count for specific multi-threaded applications, or who plan to overclock, may still consider the AMD chip, but the data does not support it as the stronger performer.