Core i3-540 vs A10-6790B
Core i3-540
A10-6790B
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 i3-540 is positioned at rank 970 and the A10-6790B is on rank 947, so the A10-6790B offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-540
Performance Per Dollar A10-6790B
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-540 | A10-6790B |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-540 | A10-6790B |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+905%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 i3-540 and A10-6790B
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.
A10-6790B
The A10-6790B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,546 points. Launch price was $130.
Processing Power
The Core i3-540 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A10-6790B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A10-6790B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core i3-540 versus 4.3 GHz on the A10-6790B — a 193.6% clock advantage for the A10-6790B (base: 3.06 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i3-540 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the A10-6790B uses Richland (2013−2014) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-540 scores 1,554 against the A10-6790B's 1,546 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-540.
| Feature | Core i3-540 | A10-6790B |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 0.07 GHz | 4.3 GHz+6043% |
| Base Clock | 3.06 GHz | 4 GHz+31% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 4096 kB+1500% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Richland (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 1,554 | 1,546 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-540 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A10-6790B uses FM2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-540 | A10-6790B |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-540) / AMD-V (A10-6790B). The A10-6790B includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8670D), while the Core i3-540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-6790B targets Office. Direct competitor: A10-6790B rivals Core i3-4330.
| Feature | Core i3-540 | A10-6790B |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 8670D |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Office |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-540 launched at $133 MSRP, while the A10-6790B debuted at $122. At current prices ($5 vs $50), the Core i3-540 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-540 delivers 310.8 pts/$ vs 30.9 pts/$ for the A10-6790B — making the Core i3-540 the 163.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-540 | A10-6790B |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $133 | $122-8% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5-90% | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 310.8+906% | 30.9 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2013 |
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