Core i3-380M vs Pentium N3540
Core i3-380M
Pentium N3540
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 i3-380M is positioned at rank 11 and the Pentium N3540 is on rank 1149, so the Core i3-380M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-380M
Performance Per Dollar Pentium N3540
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-380M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-380M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+547%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) |
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 i3-380M and Pentium N3540
Core i3-380M
The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.
Pentium N3540
The Pentium N3540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,207 points. Launch price was $251.
Processing Power
The Core i3-380M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N3540 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 — a 133.5% clock advantage for the Pentium N3540 (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Core i3-380M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium N3540 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-380M scores 1,212 against the Pentium N3540's 1,207 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-380M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 0.53 GHz | 2.66 GHz+402% |
| Base Clock | 2.53 GHz+17% | 2.16 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 1,212 | 1,207 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 450 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,100 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-380M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N3540 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FCBGA1170 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-380M) / not specified (Pentium N3540). The Core i3-380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)), while the Pentium N3540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1) | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-380M launched at $49 MSRP, while the Pentium N3540 debuted at $161. At current prices ($25 vs $161), the Core i3-380M is $136 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-380M delivers 48.5 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Pentium N3540 — making the Core i3-380M the 146.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $49-70% | $161 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-84% | $161 |
| Performance per Dollar | 48.5+547% | 7.5 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2014 |
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