Celeron E3400 vs Pentium N3540

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Celeron E3400 vs Pentium N3540 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron E3400 vs Pentium N3540: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron E3400

2010

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $108 less on MSRP ($53 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅Delivers 207.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.0 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($53 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium N3540.

Trade-offs

❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium N3540

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,207 vs 1,220).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 23.0 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $53 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron E3400.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3540 better than Celeron E3400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium N3540 is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron E3400 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron E3400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium N3540 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium N3540 comes in 203.8% more expensive on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $53 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron E3400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 207.0% better value on paper (23.0 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium N3540 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron E3400 vs Pentium N3540 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron E3400

The Celeron E3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,220 points. Launch price was $76.

Pentium N3540

The Pentium N3540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,207 points. Launch price was $251.

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Processing Power

The Celeron E3400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3540 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron E3400 versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Pentium N3540 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Celeron E3400 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium N3540 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3400 scores 1,220 against the Pentium N3540's 1,207 — a 1.1% lead for the Celeron E3400. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron E3400 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540.

Feature	Celeron E3400	Pentium N3540
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.66 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+20%	2.16 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)	2 MB+100%
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,220+1%	1,207
Geekbench 6 Single	347	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	624	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron E3400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N3540 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron E3400	Pentium N3540
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron E3400) / not specified (Pentium N3540). Primary use case: Celeron E3400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron E3400 rivals Pentium E5200.

Feature	Celeron E3400	Pentium N3540
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron E3400 was priced at $53, while the Pentium N3540 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($53 vs $161), Celeron E3400 was $108 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron E3400 delivers 23.0 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Pentium N3540 — making the Celeron E3400 the 101.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron E3400	Pentium N3540
MSRP	$53-67%	$161
Performance per Dollar	23.0+207%	7.5
Release Date	2010	2014

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