Core i3-4000M vs Core i5-540M

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.

Core i3-4000M vs Core i5-540M FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-4000M vs Core i5-540M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-4000M

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-540M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-540M

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core i3-4000M needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,796 vs 1,797).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4000M better than Core i5-540M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-540M is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4000M pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4000M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-4000M still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4000M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4000M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4000M vs Core i5-540M Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-4000M

The Core i3-4000M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,797 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i5-540M

The Core i5-540M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 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 3.07 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: 1,796 points. Launch price was $257.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4000M and Core i5-540M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4000M versus 3.07 GHz on the Core i5-540M — a 24.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-540M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i3-4000M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-540M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4000M scores 1,797 against the Core i5-540M's 1,796 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-4000M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-4000M	Core i5-540M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.07 GHz+28%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.53 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,797	1,796
Geekbench 6 Single	—	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	700

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4000M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-540M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4000M	Core i5-540M
Socket	PGA946	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-4000M) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-540M). The Core i5-540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core i3-4000M requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-540M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-540M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.