Celeron G540 vs E-300

CPU

GPU

Celeron G540

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2011

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

E-300

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2011

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

Celeron G540 vs E-300 Performance Spectrum

Celeron G540

2 / 2

1,182

+0.5%

1,176

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

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 G540 vs E-300 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 G540 vs E-300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G540

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
✅Delivers 43.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.1 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike E-300.

Trade-offs

❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

E-300

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,176 vs 1,182).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.6 vs 28.1 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G540.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G540 better than E-300?

Yes. Celeron G540 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron G540 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G540 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G540 is the better buy right now. Celeron G540 comes in $18 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $60 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 43.6% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 19.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron G540 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G540 vs E-300 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G540

The Celeron G540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,182 points. Launch price was $158.

E-300

The E-300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 22 August 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,176 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Celeron G540 and E-300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Celeron G540 versus 1.3 GHz on the E-300 — a 63.2% clock advantage for the Celeron G540. The Celeron G540 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the E-300 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G540 scores 1,182 against the E-300's 1,176 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron G540. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G540 vs 0 kB on the E-300.

Feature	Celeron G540	E-300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+92%	1.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-20%	40 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Zacate (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,182	1,176
Geekbench 6 Single	384	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	655	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G540 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the E-300 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron G540 versus DDR3-1066 on the E-300 — the Celeron G540 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G540 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Celeron G540) vs 1 (E-300). PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G540) vs 0 (E-300) — the Celeron G540 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Celeron G540	E-300
Socket	LGA1155	FT1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333+25%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G540) vs AMD-V (E-300). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron G540) and Radeon HD 6310 (E-300) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G540 targets Desktop, E-300 targets Budget Mobile. Direct competitor: Celeron G540 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	Celeron G540	E-300
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	Radeon HD 6310
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Budget Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G540 was priced at $42, while the E-300 came in at $60. On launch pricing ($42 vs $60), Celeron G540 was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G540 delivers 28.1 pts/$ vs 19.6 pts/$ for the E-300 — making the Celeron G540 the 35.8% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G540	E-300
MSRP	$42-30%	$60
Performance per Dollar	28.1+43%	19.6
Release Date	2011	2011

Search Celeron G540 on Amazon

Search E-300 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.