TEST
YOUR CPU
ADD TO PC
BUILD

Intel

Core i3-3250

▲ 51158 ▼

2 Cores, 4 Threads @3.5 GHz, Ivy Bridge.
Release date ≤ Q1 2014.

Average Bench: 58.7% (613th of 1459)

Based on 4,164 user benchmarks.  Device: BFEBFBFF000306A9 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3250 CPU @ 3.50GHz
Poor: 48%Average: 58.7% Great: 67%
Gaming
Gaming 59%
Gunboat
Desktop
Desktop 67%
Battle cruiser
Workstation
Workstation 42%
Speed boat

Popular builds with this CPU

Average average bench

The Intel Core i3-3250 averaged 41.2% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 80Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 86.6Pts

Very good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i3-3250 is just 19.3%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i3-3250 performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 223Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 222Pts
ADVERTISEMENT

Average Bench

(Based on 4,164 samples)
Rank 61358.7%
Min Avg Max
61.4 Memory 80 93.2
61.7 1-Core 86.6 97.3
105 2-Core 150 182
63.3% 105 Pts
Min Avg Max
144 4-Core 219 245
158 8-Core 222 246
29.5% 220 Pts
Min Avg Max
167 64-Core 223 246
13.8% 223 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
64% Good
Memory 89.8
1-Core 89.3
2-Core 156
68% 112 Pts
4-Core 224
8-Core 222
30% 223 Pts
64-Core 220
14% 220 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
58.7% Above average
Memory 80.3
1-Core 69.9
2-Core 100
54% 83.5 Pts
4-Core 217
8-Core 220
29% 218 Pts
64-Core 218
14% 218 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
58.2% Above average
Memory 77.5
1-Core 91.2
2-Core 168
66% 112 Pts
4-Core 228
8-Core 227
30% 227 Pts
64-Core 226
14% 226 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
57.7% Above average
Memory 76.7
1-Core 91
2-Core 166
65% 111 Pts
4-Core 226
8-Core 227
30% 227 Pts
64-Core 228
14% 228 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
57.7% Above average
Memory 76.6
1-Core 91.2
2-Core 168
65% 112 Pts
4-Core 226
8-Core 227
30% 226 Pts
64-Core 226
14% 226 Pts
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3250 CPU @ 3.50GHz, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
56.8% Above average
Memory 74.6
1-Core 90.5
2-Core 174
65% 113 Pts
4-Core 226
8-Core 229
30% 228 Pts
64-Core 228
14% 228 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
56.2% Above average
Memory 74.3
1-Core 88.7
2-Core 154
62% 106 Pts
4-Core 222
8-Core 224
30% 223 Pts
64-Core 224
14% 224 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 2.35 GHz (avg)
50.2% Above average
Memory 74.1
1-Core 38
2-Core 81.1
42% 64.4 Pts
4-Core 153
8-Core 166
21% 160 Pts
64-Core 166
10% 166 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
46% Average
Memory 52.9
1-Core 88.4
2-Core 163
56% 101 Pts
4-Core 226
8-Core 231
30% 228 Pts
64-Core 232
14% 232 Pts
4,164 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 68,303,554 CPUs tested

Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i3-3250 Builds (Compare 2,356 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 2%
Tree trunk
Desktop
Desktop 57%
Gunboat
Workstation
Workstation 2%
Tree trunk

Motherboard: Asus H61M-K - $140

CPU
Core i3-3250IntelBench 59%, 4,164 samples1x
GPU
HD 2500 (Desktop 1.05 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 146,665 samples448x
GTX 1050-TiNvidia  $59Bench 29%, 946,701 samples149x
GeForce GT 730NvidiaBench 5%, 164,888 samples113x
SSD
A400 240GBKingston  $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples107x
A400 120GBKingston  $33Bench 61%, 166,392 samples65x
A400 480GBKingston  $34Bench 74%, 237,487 samples51x
RAM
1x4GBUnknownBench 28%, 154,807 samples52x
1x8GBUnknownBench 38%, 168,538 samples48x
Fury DDR3 1600 C10 2x8GBHyperXBench 54%, 77,652 samples28x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 21% - Poor Total price: $168

Popular Core i3-3250 compatible motherboards:

How Fast Is Your CPU? (Bench your build) Size up your PC in less than a minute

Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.

UserBenchmark of the month

Gaming Desktop ProGaming

How it works

  • - Download and run UserBenchmark
  • - CPU tests include: integer, floating and string
  • - GPU tests include: six 3D game simulations
  • - Drive tests include: read, write, sustained write and mixed IO
  • - RAM tests include: single/multi core bandwidth and latency
  • - SkillBench (space shooter) tests user input accuracy
  • - Reports are generated and presented on userbenchmark.com
  • - Identify the strongest components in your PC
  • - See speed test results from other users
  • - Compare your components to the current market leaders
  • - Explore your best upgrade options with a virtual PC build
  • - Compare your in-game FPS to other users with your hardware
Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) July 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

ADVERTISEMENT

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i3-3250 Processor (3M Cache, 3.50 GHz)
Code NameIvy Bridge
Launch DateQ2'13
Processor Numberi3-3250
# of Cores2
# of Threads4
Cache3 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography22 nm
Recommended Price$117.00
Clock Speed3.5 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP55 W
Thermal Solution Specification2011C

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 2500
Graphics Base Frequency650 MHz
Wireless DisplayYes
# of Displays Supported3
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.05 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes

Memory

Max Memory Size32 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 1333/1600
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth25.6 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
PCI Express Configurationsup to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 & 2x4

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsNo
Secure KeyNo

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost TechNo
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)No
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
vPro TechNo
Identity Protection TechYes
My WiFi TechYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedFCLGA1155

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechNo
Anti-Theft TechYes

 Comments

Added n/a ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,918

Liked (edit your comment) Add link

2 years ago.

jayjoeie
Avatar level
26

Good

2 years ago.

It's fast enough for basic computing tasks, I would reccomend it if you're on a budget - price performance wise

Your
opinion?
▲Like ▼Dislike
Ready to retire
Age: 10 years

Speed Comparisons

vs Intel Core i5-12600K
vs Intel Core i5-12400F
vs Intel Core i5-13600K
vs Intel Core i7-14700K
vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
vs Intel Core i3-13100F
vs Intel Core i7-13700K
vs Intel Core i5-12400
vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600

1459 Processors (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different CPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Processors FAQ
AMD vs Intel: Gaming performance 2012-2021
How does IPC compare between AMD's Ryzen and Intel's Kaby Lake?
What is multi core mixed speed?
What is multi core integer speed?
What is multi core floating point speed?
What is single core mixed CPU speed?
What is quad core mixed CPU speed?
What is quad core floating point speed?
What is quad core integer speed?
What is single core floating point speed?
What is single core integer speed?
What is the GeekBench single core score?
What is a CPU?
What is the effective CPU speed index?
What is overclocking?
What is thermal design power (TDP)?
ALL FAQs »

 Best User Rated
Why does UserBenchmark have a bad reputation on reddit?
Marketers operate thousands of reddit accounts. Our benchmarks expose their spiel so they attack our reputation.
Why don’t PC brands endorse UserBenchmark?
Brands make boatloads on flagships like the 4090 and 14900KS. We help users get similar real-world performance for less money.
Why don’t youtubers promote UserBenchmark?
We don't pay youtubers, so they don't praise us. Moreover, our data obstructs youtubers who promote overpriced or inferior products.
Why does UserBenchmark have negative trustpilot reviews?
The 200+ trustpilot reviews are mostly written by virgin marketing accounts. Real users don't give a monkey's about big brands.
Why is UserBenchmark popular with users?
Instead of pursuing brands for sponsorship, we've spent 13 years publishing real-world data for users.
The Best
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-12600K $175Nvidia RTX 4060 $293WD Black SN850X M.2 2TB $145
Intel Core i5-12400F $110Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $389WD Black SN850X M.2 1TB $80
Intel Core i5-13600K $235Nvidia RTX 4070 $499Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $342
Today's hottest
Amazon Ebay
deals
If you buy something via a price link, UserBenchmark may earn a commission
Build Test EFps
Can You Run It?
►
YouTube
*NEW*
About  •  User Guide  •  FAQs  •  Email  •  Privacy  •  Developer  •  YouTube Feedback