AMD Ryzen 5 240 vs AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and AMD Ryzen 5 240 both land at the 84th percentile in the database, but they are built for different worlds. The 3700X is a desktop Zen 2 processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, while the 240 is a mobile Zen 4 part with 6 cores and 12 threads. Their average benchmark scores are 34260 and 33542 respectively, placing them near a cluster of recent mobile and desktop chips. The 3700X sits 0.1% above the Ryzen AI 7 350 and the EPYC 4244P, while the 240 is exactly level with the Core Ultra 7 255H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear split: the 3700X wins 5 of 13 recorded tests, while the 240 wins 8. The margins, however, are not evenly distributed. The 3700X’s largest victory comes in the Passmark find prime numbers test, where it scores 99 against the 240’s 70, a 41.4% advantage. It also leads by 19.3% in data encryption (18900 vs 15849), by 11.4% in physics (1181 vs 1060), and by 10.6% in data compression (296379 vs 267963). Its only narrow win is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it edges ahead 2092 to 2078, a 0.7% margin.

The 240 dominates the single-thread and math-oriented workloads. Its Passmark single-thread score of 3675 is 27.7% higher than the 3700X’s 2656, and its Cinebench R15 single-core result of 270 beats 204 by 24.4%. In floating point math, the 240 scores 45301 versus 39005, a 13.9% lead, and in integer math it posts 73189 against 66399, a 9.3% advantage. The 240 also wins extended instructions (20201 vs 19241, 4.8%), multithread (22658 vs 22458, 0.9%), and random string sorting (32385 vs 32131, 0.8%). Notably, the 240 has additional Cinebench R23 results in the database (13013 multi-core, 1742 single-core), but the 3700X has no R23 entry, so no direct comparison is possible.

These results indicate that the 3700X retains a lead in encryption, compression, prime number generation, and physics simulation, while the 240 is substantially faster in single-threaded and floating-point heavy tasks. The 240’s higher boost clock and newer architecture likely contribute to its single-thread advantage, while the 3700X’s larger L3 cache and extra cores help in certain multi-threaded integer workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The Ryzen 5 240. Its Passmark single-thread score is 3675, compared to the 3700X’s 2656, a 27.7% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the 240 scores 270 versus 204.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 240 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Ryzen 5 240 supports DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Ryzen 7 3700X supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 240 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes a Radeon 760M iGPU. The Ryzen 7 3700X has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 5 240 boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Ryzen 7 3700X boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700X has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen 5 240 is locked.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and design philosophies. The 3700X uses Zen 2 architecture (codename Matisse) on a 7 nm process, while the 240 uses Zen 4 (codename Hawk Point) on a 4 nm process, both fabricated by TSMC. The transistor count differs dramatically: the 3700X has 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, whereas the 240 packs 25,000 million transistors into a 178 mm² die. This reflects the 240’s integrated Radeon 760M graphics and newer process.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the 3700X has 512 KB of L2 per core, while the 240 has 1 MB per core. The L3 cache is larger on the 3700X at 32 MB, versus 16 MB shared on the 240. Memory support is another major split: the 3700X uses DDR4 with dual-channel 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the 240 uses DDR5 with dual-channel 89.6 GB/s. PCIe connectivity differs as well, with the 3700X offering Gen 4 with 24 lanes (CPU only) and the 240 offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

The 240’s socket is FP8, a mobile package, while the 3700X uses AM4 for desktop. The 240 has a lower TDP of 45 watts versus 65 watts for the 3700X, despite having a higher base clock (4.30 GHz vs 3.60 GHz) and boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.40 GHz). The 240 also includes a Radeon 760M iGPU, whereas the 3700X has none. The 3700X is unlocked for overclocking; the 240 is not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | AMD Ryzen 5 240 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Matisse | Hawk Point |

| Process node | 7 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 25,000 million |

| Die size | 74 mm² | 178 mm² |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 32 MB | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | Radeon 760M |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2019-07-06 | 2025-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $329 | None |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000000071 | 100-000001727 |

Where Each One Wins

The 3700X is the stronger choice for workloads that benefit from its larger L3 cache and extra cores. It wins decisively in data encryption (19.3% ahead), data compression (10.6%), prime number finding (41.4%), and physics simulation (11.4%). Its Cinebench R15 multi-core win, though narrow, shows that it can hold its own in lightly threaded multi-core tasks. This makes it suitable for encryption-heavy server or workstation tasks, compression pipelines, and physics-based simulations.

The 240 wins in single-thread performance, floating point math, integer math, extended instruction sets, and multithread (by a slim 0.9%). Its 27.7% single-thread advantage and 13.9% floating point lead make it better for everyday responsiveness, spreadsheet calculations, and applications that rely on high clock speeds. The 240 also brings a Radeon 760M iGPU, enabling light graphics work without a discrete card, and its 45 W TDP makes it appropriate for mobile systems. The 3700X, with its unlocked multiplier and desktop socket, targets overclocking and multi-threaded desktop workloads. The data shows a clear trade-off: the 3700X excels in specific integer-heavy and cache-sensitive tasks, while the 240 offers superior single-thread and math performance in a more power-efficient mobile package.