Celeron T3100 vs Core i5-540UM

Celeron T3100

35 WW2008

Core i5-540UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron T3100

945

0.0%

1,002

+6.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron T3100 is positioned at rank 970 and the Core i5-540UM is on rank 1081, so the Celeron T3100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron T3100

#958

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1925%

#959

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1897%

#960

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1741%

#961

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1734%

#962

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1718%

#964

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1659%

#965

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1591%

#966

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1588%

#967

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1545%

#970

Celeron T3100

MSRP: $62|Avg: $62

100%

#971

Core i7-4800MQ

MSRP: $380|Avg: $378

100%

#977

Phenom II X2 N640

MSRP: $100|Avg: $55

99%

#978

A10-8700P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

99%

#982

Athlon II Neo K125

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-540UM

#1068

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2928%

#1069

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2885%

#1070

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2649%

#1071

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2637%

#1072

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2613%

#1074

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2523%

#1075

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2419%

#1076

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2415%

#1077

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2350%

#1080

A6-7000

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

100%

#1081

Core i5-540UM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1082

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1083

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

99%

#1088

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

96%

#1089

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1091

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

95%

#1092

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

95%

#1093

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1095

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-540UM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Celeron T3100 in both compute-intensive tasks (5.9% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Celeron T3100	Core i5-540UM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($62)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Celeron T3100	Core i5-540UM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($62)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Celeron T3100 Benchmark Check

Core i5-540UM Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron T3100 and Core i5-540UM

Celeron T3100

The Celeron T3100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 945 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-540UM

The Core i5-540UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $250.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-540UM is built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron T3100 scores 945 against the Core i5-540UM's 1,002 — a 5.9% lead for the Core i5-540UM. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron T3100 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-540UM.

Feature	Celeron T3100	Core i5-540UM
Cores / Threads	—	2 / 4
Boost Clock	—	2 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz+58%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	1 MB L2 Cache	3 MB+200%
L2 Cache	—	512 kB
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	—	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	945	1,002+6%
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	650	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron T3100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-540UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Celeron T3100 versus 800 on the Core i5-540UM — the Core i5-540UM supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron T3100) vs 16 (Core i5-540UM) — the Core i5-540UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GL40,GM45 (Celeron T3100) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-540UM).

Feature	Celeron T3100	Core i5-540UM
Socket	PGA478	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	800+26567%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+104857500%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: None (Celeron T3100) vs true (Core i5-540UM). The Core i5-540UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Celeron T3100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron T3100 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-540UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.