Intel Core i3-3240 vs Intel Core i7-3537U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits these two Ivy Bridge processors into distinct use cases. The Intel Core i7-3537U wins five of the seven head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-3240 takes two. That alone suggests the mobile part is more versatile, but the margin matters.

The i7-3537U dominates in Geekbench workloads. Its multicore score of 1269 beats the i3-3240's 1233 by a 2.9% delta, and its singlecore score of 658 edges out 650 by 1.2%. Those are the largest wins in the entire comparison, and they point to real-world responsiveness in everyday applications, web browsing, and office-style multitasking where Geekbench-style integer and floating-point loads dominate.

The i3-3240, conversely, claims victory in the Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore tests. Its R20 score of 840 versus 839 is a razor-thin 0.1% margin, and its R23 score of 2000 versus 1998 is the same 0.1% delta. These are essentially statistical ties, but the desktop chip does edge ahead in sustained render-style workloads. For batch rendering or video encoding that scales across cores, the i3-3240 holds a marginal, repeatable advantage.

The remaining three tests, Cinebench R15 multicore and both singlecore variants, end in exact ties at 201, 118, and 282 respectively. The database records the i7-3537U as the winner in those ties due to the test ordering, but the scores are identical, so neither part can claim a capability edge there.

The percentile data reinforces this split. The i7-3537U sits at the 21st percentile of all CPUs, while the i3-3240 sits at the 20th. The i7's average benchmark score of 766 is only 0.7% higher than the i3's 761. These are adjacent performers, not distant tiers.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Ivy Bridge architecture, the 22 nm process node, and the Intel foundry. They also both have 2 cores and 4 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The similarities end there in several meaningful ways.

The i7-3537U is a mobile part on the Intel BGA 1023 socket, while the i3-3240 is a desktop part on the Intel Socket 1155. That socket difference dictates their physical deployment: the i7 is soldered into ultrabooks and compact laptops, the i3 drops into desktop motherboards.

The i7's base clock is 2000 MHz, but it boosts to 3.20 GHz. The i3 has no boost clock at all; its base clock is fixed at 3.40 GHz. So the desktop chip runs a higher sustained frequency, while the mobile chip relies on turbo headroom to reach peak performance on demand.

Cache allocation differs as well. The i7 carries 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3 has 3 MB. That extra megabyte helps the i7 keep more working data on-die, which may explain part of its Geekbench advantage.

Thermal design power tells the bigger story: the i7 is rated at 17 watts, the i3 at 55 watts. That is a 38-watt gap. The mobile part is designed for fanless or low-noise laptops; the desktop part expects active cooling and a power supply that can handle triple the draw.

Integrated graphics also split. The i7 includes Intel HD 4000, while the i3 has the lower-tier Intel HD 2500. The i7's graphics unit is more capable for light gaming and video playback, though the database does not list specific graphics benchmarks.

The i3 adds a PCIe specification entry: Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only). The i7's PCIe details are not recorded, so no direct comparison is possible there. Memory support is identical: DDR3, dual-channel, no ECC.

The release dates differ by about four months, with the i3 launching in September 2012 and the i7 in January 2013. The die sizes also differ: the i7 measures 118 mm², the i3 measures 94 mm². The i7's larger die likely reflects the additional L3 cache and the HD 4000 graphics block.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-3240 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-3537U has a base clock of 2000 MHz. However, the i7 can boost up to 3.20 GHz, which reduces the effective gap.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: Both have exactly 2 physical cores and 4 threads, meaning both support Intel's Hyper-Threading technology.

Q: What is the largest performance difference in any single benchmark?

A: The biggest delta is in Geekbench multicore, where the i7-3537U scores 1269 versus the i3-3240's 1233, a 2.9% advantage. The smallest differences are 0.1% in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore, favoring the i3.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-3537U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-3240 has 3 MB. Both allocate 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation and architecture?

A: Yes, both are from the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process. The i7 is labeled as Core i7 (Ivy Bridge), and the i3 is labeled as Core i3 (Ivy Bridge).

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-3537U | Intel Core i3-3240 |

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

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | None |

| TDP | 17 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1023 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Die Size | 118 mm² | 94 mm² |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Release Date | 2013-01-07 | 2012-09-02 |

| Part Number | SR0XG | SR0RH |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test opens the comparison with an exact tie: both chips score 201. The database assigns the win to the i7-3537U due to test ordering, but the recorded delta is 0%. Neither chip demonstrates an advantage in this legacy render workload.

Cinebench R20 multicore flips the result. The i3-3240 scores 840 against the i7's 839, a 0.1% lead. This is within run-to-run noise, but the direction is consistent with the i3's higher sustained clock. The singlecore R20 test ties at 118, again with the i7 listed as the winner at 0% delta.

Cinebench R23 multicore repeats the R20 pattern. The i3 scores 2000, the i7 scores 1998, another 0.1% margin for the desktop part. The R23 singlecore test ties at 282, with the i7 getting the nominal win.

Geekbench is where the i7 breaks away. The multicore test shows the i7 at 1269 versus 1233, a 2.9% advantage. This is the most decisive result in the entire comparison. The singlecore test shows 658 versus 650, a 1.2% lead. Both Geekbench tests favor the i7, even though the i3 runs a higher base clock.

The pattern is clear: in pure multi-threaded rendering (Cinebench), the i3's 3.40 GHz fixed clock edges out the i7's turbo-dependent 3.20 GHz peak. In broader system-level benchmarks (Geekbench), the i7's larger L3 cache and HD 4000 graphics likely contribute to a more responsive overall experience.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type and platform. The Intel Core i7-3537U is the better choice for mobile users who need a balanced laptop processor. Its 17-watt TDP makes it suitable for thin and light machines, and its Geekbench wins indicate stronger everyday application performance. The 2.9% multicore advantage and 1.2% singlecore advantage over the i3 are the largest margins recorded in this comparison.

The Intel Core i3-3240 is the better choice for desktop users who prioritize sustained multi-threaded rendering over portability. Its 55-watt TDP assumes a desktop motherboard with active cooling, and its Cinebench R20 and R23 wins, while tiny at 0.1%, are consistent across two generations of the render test. The i3 also offers a higher fixed base clock of 3.40 GHz, meaning no turbo dependency for peak throughput.

For raw benchmark averages, the two are nearly inseparable: the i7 averages 766, the i3 averages 761, a 0.7% gap. Both sit within the 20th to 21st percentile of all CPUs. The i7 wins five head-to-head tests, the i3 wins two, but the i3's wins are in sustained multi-core workloads while the i7's wins are in system-level and single-thread tests.

The deciding factor is not raw speed, but context. A laptop buyer cannot use the i3-3240 without a desktop board; a desktop builder would be wasting the i7's low-power design. Given the recorded data, the i7-3537U is the more flexible and slightly faster overall part, while the i3-3240 remains a competent, clock-heavy desktop alternative for render pipelines.