Core i3-2340UE vs Core i3-540
Core i3-2340UE
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 i3-2340UE is positioned at rank 1137 and the Core i3-540 is on rank 970, so the Core i3-540 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2340UE
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-540
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2340UE | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2340UE | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+3923%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ 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 i3-2340UE and Core i3-540
Core i3-2340UE
The Core i3-2340UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,545 points. Launch price was $250.
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
Both the Core i3-2340UE and Core i3-540 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core i3-2340UE versus 0.07 GHz on the Core i3-540 — a 179.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-2340UE. The Core i3-2340UE uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-540 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2340UE scores 1,545 against the Core i3-540's 1,554 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-540. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2340UE vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-540.
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.3 GHz+1757% | 0.07 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 3.06 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,545 | 1,554 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 230 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2340UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-540 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2340UE) / not specified (Core i3-540). The Core i3-2340UE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i3-540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2340UE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-2340UE rivals Embedded G-Series.
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-2340UE launched at $200 MSRP, while the Core i3-540 debuted at $133. At current prices ($200 vs $5), the Core i3-540 is $195 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2340UE delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 310.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-540 — making the Core i3-540 the 190.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $200 | $133-34% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $5-98% |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.7 | 310.8+3936% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2010 |
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