Core i3-540 vs Core i5-4202Y

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 i3-540 vs Core i5-4202Y 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 i3-540 vs Core i5-4202Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-540

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $133 MSRP, while Core i5-4202Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4202Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-4202Y

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4200, while Core i3-540 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,552 vs 1,554).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-540 better than Core i5-4202Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4202Y is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 28 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-540 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i3-540 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-540 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i3-540 is the better buy right now. Core i3-540 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $133 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4202Y is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 28 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4202Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-540 vs Core i5-4202Y Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-4202Y

The Core i5-4202Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,552 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-540 and Core i5-4202Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core i3-540 versus 2 GHz on the Core i5-4202Y — a 186.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-4202Y (base: 3.06 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-540 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4202Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-540 scores 1,554 against the Core i5-4202Y's 1,552 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-540. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-540 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4202Y.

Feature	Core i3-540	Core i5-4202Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	2 GHz+2757%
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+91%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,554	1,552
Geekbench 6 Single	—	589
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,030

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-540 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4202Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-540	Core i5-4202Y
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-540) / VT-x / EPT (Core i5-4202Y). The Core i5-4202Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4200), while the Core i3-540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4202Y targets Ultra-portable.