Core i5-540M vs Core i3-4000M

Core i5-540M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.07 GHz2010

Core i3-4000M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-540M

2 / 4

1,796

0.0%

1,797

+0.1%

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 i3-4000M is on rank 501, so the Core i5-540M 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 i5-540M

#419

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

572%

#420

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

563%

#421

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

517%

#422

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

515%

#423

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

510%

#425

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

493%

#426

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

472%

#427

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

472%

#428

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

459%

#432

Core i5-540M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4000M

#158

Core i9-13900H

MSRP: $617|Avg: N/A

99%

#161

Core Ultra 7 268V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

97%

#489

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

653%

#490

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

643%

#491

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

591%

#492

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

588%

#493

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

583%

#495

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

563%

#496

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

540%

#497

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

539%

#498

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

524%

#501

Core i3-4000M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-540M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-4000M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-540M	Core i3-4000M
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 (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-540M	Core i3-4000M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i5-540M Benchmark Check

Core i3-4000M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-540M and Core i3-4000M

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 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.

⚡

Processing Power

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

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

🧠

Memory & Platform

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

Feature	Core i5-540M	Core i3-4000M
Socket	PGA988	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
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 i3-4000M). 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.