CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E7300
Core i3-540
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 E7300 is positioned at rank 969 and the Core i3-540 is on rank 970, so the Core 2 Duo E7300 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 E7300
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-540
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E7300 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($133) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E7300 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2558%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($133) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
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 E7300 and Core i3-540
Core 2 Duo E7300
The Core 2 Duo E7300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 3 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,555 points. Launch price was $249.
Core i3-540
The Core i3-540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,554 points. Launch price was $45.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E7300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-540's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E7300 versus 0.07 GHz on the Core i3-540 — a 189.8% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E7300 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E7300 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-540 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E7300 scores 1,555 against the Core i3-540's 1,554 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo E7300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E7300 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-540.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7300 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.67 GHz+3714% | 0.07 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz | 3.06 GHz+15% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB (total)+1100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,555 | 1,554 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 412 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 725 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E7300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-540 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7300 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E7300) / not specified (Core i3-540). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E7300 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E7300 rivals Athlon II X2 245.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7300 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E7300 launched at $133 MSRP, while the Core i3-540 debuted at $133. At current prices ($133 vs $5), the Core i3-540 is $128 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E7300 delivers 11.7 pts/$ vs 310.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-540 — making the Core i3-540 the 185.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7300 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $133 | $133 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $133 | $5-96% |
| Performance per Dollar | 11.7 | 310.8+2556% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2010 |
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