CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E4300
Core i5-540UM
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 Core 2 Duo E4300 is positioned at rank 1015 and the Core i5-540UM is on rank 1081, so the Core 2 Duo E4300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4300
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-540UM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4300 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4300 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E4300 and Core i5-540UM
Core 2 Duo E4300
The Core 2 Duo E4300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $249.
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 2 Duo E4300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-540UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4300 versus 2 GHz on the Core i5-540UM — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-540UM (base: 1.8 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4300 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-540UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4300 scores 1,005 against the Core i5-540UM's 1,002 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo E4300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E4300 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-540UM.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4300 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.8 GHz | 2 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz+50% | 1.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 512 kB |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Allendale (2006−2009) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,005 | 1,002 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E4300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-540UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 800 memory speed. The Core 2 Duo E4300 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E4300) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-540UM).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4300 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | 800 | 800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16+100% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: false (Core 2 Duo E4300) vs true (Core i5-540UM). The Core i5-540UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Core 2 Duo E4300 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4300 rivals Athlon 64 X2 3800+; Core i5-540UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4300 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | false | true |
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