Core i5-2540M vs Core i3-6102E

Core i5-2540M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

Core i3-6102E

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2540M

2 / 4

2,356

+0.3%

2,349

0.0%

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 i5-2540M is positioned at rank 8 and the Core i3-6102E is on rank 989, so the Core i5-2540M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2540M

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

112%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

110%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

101%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

101%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

100%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

97%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

93%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

92%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

90%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

83%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

82%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

81%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

73%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

70%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6102E

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

29858%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

28213%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

20485%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6171%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4888%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4276%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2449%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2417%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2201%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2201%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2176%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2117%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2088%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2079%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2061%

#304

Core i7-6950X

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $180

98%

#989

Core i3-6102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

100%

#990

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

100%

#991

Pentium Dual-Core E2210

MSRP: $98|Avg: $15

98%

#992

Core 2 Duo E7500

MSRP: $113|Avg: $10

98%

#993

Core 2 Quad Q9505

MSRP: $213|Avg: $150

98%

#996

Core i7-930

MSRP: $294|Avg: $20

98%

#997

Core i7-920

MSRP: $284|Avg: $79

97%

#998

Core i7-4960X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $136

96%

#999

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

94%

#1001

Core 2 Duo E4400

MSRP: $113|Avg: $20

93%

#1002

Pentium D 915

MSRP: $74|Avg: $10

91%

#1003

Core 2 Quad Q9400

MSRP: $229|Avg: $25

90%

#1004

Celeron 450

MSRP: $53|Avg: $5

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2540M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-6102E in both compute-intensive tasks (0.3% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-2540M	Core i3-6102E
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-2540M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 71% cheaper ($10 vs $35) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-2540M	Core i3-6102E
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+251%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($35)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-2540M Benchmark Check

Core i3-6102E Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2540M and Core i3-6102E

Core i5-2540M

The Core i5-2540M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,356 points. Launch price was $266.

Core i3-6102E

The Core i3-6102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,349 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2540M and Core i3-6102E share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2540M versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-6102E — a 53.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2540M. The Core i5-2540M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-6102E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2540M scores 2,356 against the Core i3-6102E's 2,349 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-2540M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2540M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6102E.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core i3-6102E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+74%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,356	2,349

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2540M versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6102E — the Core i5-2540M supports 198.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-6102E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core i3-6102E
Socket	PGA988	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333+33225%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	16	64 GB+419430300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-2540M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6102E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2540M) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6102E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6102E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-2540M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core i3-6102E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-2540M launched at $266 MSRP, while the Core i3-6102E debuted at $225. At current prices ($10 vs $35), the Core i5-2540M is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2540M delivers 235.6 pts/$ vs 67.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-6102E — making the Core i5-2540M the 111.3% better value option.