Core i5-540M vs Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Core i5-540M
Core 2 Extreme QX9300
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 i5-540M is positioned at rank 432 and the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is on rank 924, so the Core i5-540M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-540M
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-540M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-540M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i5-540M and Core 2 Extreme QX9300
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.
Core 2 Extreme QX9300
The Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,805 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core i5-540M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.07 GHz on the Core i5-540M versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 — a 19.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-540M (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i5-540M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-540M scores 1,796 against the Core 2 Extreme QX9300's 1,805 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Extreme QX9300. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-540M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300.
| Feature | Core i5-540M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.07 GHz+21% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.53 GHz | 2.53 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 12 MB+4700% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,796 | 1,805 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 300 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 700 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-540M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-540M) / not specified (Core 2 Extreme QX9300). The Core i5-540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-540M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-540M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.
| Feature | Core i5-540M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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