Intel Core i3-3240 vs Intel Pentium G4520 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database places these two desktop processors in adjacent performance tiers, with the Intel Pentium G4520 holding a consistent edge across every recorded Cinebench test. The data shows a clean sweep: 5 wins for the Pentium G4520, 0 wins for the Core i3-3240. The margins are remarkably uniform, hovering between 12.7% and 13.1% regardless of workload type.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium G4520 scores 227 against 201 for the Core i3-3240, a 12.9% advantage. That gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Pentium delivers 949 points versus 840, a 13% lead. The R23 multi-core test tells a similar story: 2261 for the Pentium G4520 versus 2000 for the Core i3-3240, a 13.1% difference. These multi-threaded results are notable because the Core i3-3240 has 4 threads against the Pentium's 2, yet the newer architecture of the Pentium G4520 overcomes that thread deficit.

Single-core performance follows the same pattern. Cinebench R20 single-core shows the Pentium G4520 at 133 points, 12.7% ahead of the Core i3-3240's 118. In R23 single-core, the Pentium scores 319 versus 282, again a 13.1% margin. The consistency of these deltas across both multi-core and single-core tests suggests the Pentium G4520's advantage is fundamental to its architecture rather than workload-specific.

The overall average benchmark score reinforces this picture: the Pentium G4520 sits at 778, while the Core i3-3240 records 761, a 2.2% gap in aggregate. The percentile rankings place the Pentium G4520 at the 21st percentile of all CPUs in the database, with the Core i3-3240 just behind at the 20th percentile. These are close positions in the global ranking, but the head-to-head data leaves no ambiguity about which part is faster.

Where Each One Wins

The Pentium G4520 wins every benchmark in the comparison set, so the use-case split is straightforward: it is the stronger choice for both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The data shows no test where the Core i3-3240 takes the lead. For applications that rely on single-core performance, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity software, the Pentium G4520's 12.7% to 13.1% single-core advantage translates into meaningfully snappier response. For multi-threaded rendering or encoding tasks, the Pentium retains its edge despite having half the threads of the Core i3-3240, which indicates that the architectural improvements in Skylake more than compensate for the thread count difference.

The Core i3-3240 does have one theoretical advantage in its favor: 4 threads versus 2. In workloads that scale perfectly with thread count and are not limited by other factors, that extra thread pair could narrow the gap. However, the recorded benchmark data does not show this happening in any of the Cinebench tests. The R15, R20, and R23 multi-core results all favor the Pentium G4520 by roughly 13%, which suggests the Core i3-3240's Ivy Bridge cores are simply too far behind in per-thread efficiency to benefit from the additional threads.

For users running the same applications today, the Pentium G4520 is the better performer across the board. The Core i3-3240's only remaining niche would be systems already built around the Intel Socket 1155 platform, where upgrading to a Socket 1151 part like the Pentium G4520 would require a motherboard change. But strictly on benchmark results, the Pentium G4520 wins every category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and manufacturing nodes. The Pentium G4520 uses the Skylake architecture built on a 14 nm process, while the Core i3-3240 uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is a major factor behind the performance gap, as the newer node allows higher clock speeds at lower power consumption. The die sizes reflect this difference: the Pentium G4520 measures 150 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors, while the Core i3-3240 has a smaller 94 mm² die with transistor count not recorded in the database.

Clock speeds favor the Pentium G4520 as well. It runs at 3.60 GHz base clock, compared to 3.40 GHz for the Core i3-3240. Neither processor has a boost clock, so these base frequencies represent their maximum sustained speeds. The 0.20 GHz difference contributes to the single-core performance gap, though the architectural improvements in Skylake likely play a larger role.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in total capacity. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is 4 MB on the Pentium G4520 versus 3 MB on the Core i3-3240. That extra 1 MB of L3 cache can help with frequently accessed data and may contribute to the performance advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Pentium G4520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Core i3-3240 supports only DDR3, also dual-channel, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. This flexibility on the Pentium side means it can be paired with either memory type depending on the motherboard, while the Core i3-3240 is limited to DDR3.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Pentium G4520 includes Intel HD 530 graphics, while the Core i3-3240 ships with Intel HD 2500. Both are entry-level iGPU solutions suited for basic display output rather than gaming, but the HD 530 is the newer and more capable part. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either chip.

The sockets are incompatible: the Pentium G4520 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Core i3-3240 uses Intel Socket 1155. This means a motherboard upgrade is required to move between these two platforms. Both processors support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, so expansion capabilities are comparable. Power draw is slightly lower on the Pentium G4520, rated at 51 W TDP versus 55 W for the Core i3-3240, despite the newer part delivering higher performance.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Pentium G4520 outperforms the Intel Core i3-3240 in every recorded test. The margins are consistent, ranging from 12.7% to 13.1% across all Cinebench versions and workload types. The Pentium G4520 achieves this with 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Core i3-3240 has 2 cores and 4 threads, proving that architectural efficiency and newer process technology outweigh raw thread count in this matchup.

For anyone choosing between these two processors based on performance alone, the Pentium G4520 is the clear pick. It delivers higher single-core and multi-core scores, supports newer memory types, includes more L3 cache, and runs at a higher base clock. The Core i3-3240's only advantage is its thread count, but the data shows that advantage does not translate into any benchmark win.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context for how each part sits in the broader market. The Pentium G4520's average score of 778 puts it in a tight cluster with the AMD A10-5800K at 778, the AMD Athlon X4 760K at 777, and the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 at 776, all within 0.3% of each other. The Intel Core i3-7100 scores 781, just 0.4% higher, making it the closest faster competitor. The Core i3-3240, with an average score of 761, sits near the AMD A8-6600K at 764, the Intel Core i5-3210M at 758, and the Intel Core i3-5020U at 757. The Intel Xeon E5450 trails at 756, 0.6% behind the Core i3-3240.

The production status of the Pentium G4520 is listed as Active, while the Core i3-3240 has no recorded production status, indicating the older part is likely discontinued. The release dates reflect this: the Pentium G4520 launched on August 31, 2015, while the Core i3-3240 launched on September 2, 2012. Nearly three years of architectural development separate these parts, and the benchmark results show exactly what that development delivered.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 wins all three multi-core tests: Cinebench R15 at 227 versus 201, Cinebench R20 at 949 versus 840, and Cinebench R23 at 2261 versus 2000. The advantage ranges from 12.9% to 13.1%.

Q: Does the Core i3-3240's 4 threads help it beat the Pentium G4520?

A: No. Despite having 4 threads versus the Pentium's 2, the Core i3-3240 loses every benchmark. The Pentium G4520's architectural efficiency on the 14 nm Skylake process overcomes the thread count disadvantage.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between these two CPUs?

A: The Pentium G4520 runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock, while the Core i3-3240 runs at 3.40 GHz. Neither processor has a boost clock feature.

Q: Can these processors use the same motherboard?

A: No. The Pentium G4520 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Core i3-3240 uses Intel Socket 1155. They require different motherboards.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The Pentium G4520's average score of 778 matches the AMD A10-5800K exactly and sits within 0.4% of the Intel Core i3-7100. The Core i3-3240's average score of 761 is 0.3% behind the AMD A8-6600K and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-3210M.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The Pentium G4520 includes Intel HD 530 graphics, while the Core i3-3240 has Intel HD 2500. The HD 530 is the newer and more capable integrated solution.