Price and Savings:

• Current Price: ₹849
• Original MRP: ₹2,005
• Discount: 58%
• EMI Option: Starting at ₹294 per month.

Key Specifications:

• Architecture: Intel Core i3 (Ivy Bridge).
• Base Clock Speed: 3.4 GHz.
• Socket: LGA 1155.
• Cores and Threads: Dual-core with Hyper-Threading (2 cores, 4 threads).
• TDP: 55W.

Performance Highlights:

1. Everyday Computing:

   • Ideal for basic productivity tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing.
   • Hyper-Threading improves multitasking capability for lightweight workloads.

2. Gaming:

   • Sufficient for running older or less demanding games with a discrete GPU.
   • Integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500 supports basic graphical tasks, but gaming performance is limited.

3. Office Use:

   • Well-suited for office PCs requiring moderate performance without demanding graphical tasks.

Compatibility:

• Motherboard: Designed for H61 chipset motherboards with LGA 1155 sockets.
• Memory Support: Compatible with DDR3 RAM, with speeds up to 1600 MHz.

Advantages:

• Affordable Upgrade: A low-cost option for upgrading older H61 motherboards.
• Hyper-Threading: Provides a smoother multitasking experience for entry-level tasks.
• Low TDP: Power-efficient, making it suitable for compact or budget systems.
• Integrated Graphics: Eliminates the need for a discrete GPU for basic display output.

Limitations:

• Outdated Technology: The LGA 1155 platform is no longer mainstream, limiting future upgrades.
• Performance: Not suitable for demanding applications or modern gaming.
• Limited Graphics Capability: The integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500 struggles with graphically intensive tasks.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Budget Office PCs: Great for creating cost-effective systems for basic productivity.
• Refurbished Systems: Ideal for bringing life back to older desktops.
• Home and Education: Suitable for light web browsing, media consumption, and educational software.

Conclusion:

The Intel Core i3-3240 is a reliable budget processor for entry-level systems or refurbishing older PCs. While it won't handle modern gaming or heavy multitasking, it's a cost-effective choice for basic computing needs. For an H61 board user, it serves as an affordable and energy-efficient upgrade.