Core i5-6200U vs Core i7-3540M

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 i5-6200U vs Core i7-3540M 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 i5-6200U vs Core i7-3540M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6200U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3540M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-3540M

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,984 vs 2,990).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6200U better than Core i7-3540M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3540M is ahead with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6200U pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-3540M 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 i5-6200U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6200U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-6200U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-6200U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6200U vs Core i7-3540M Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6200U

The Core i5-6200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,990 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-3540M

The Core i7-3540M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,984 points. Launch price was $349.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6200U and Core i7-3540M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6200U versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3540M — a 27.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3540M (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-6200U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3540M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6200U scores 2,990 against the Core i7-3540M's 2,984 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6200U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-6200U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3540M.

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Core i7-3540M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.7 GHz+32%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,990	2,984
Geekbench 6 Single	946	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6200U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3540M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6200U versus 1600 on the Core i7-3540M — the Core i5-6200U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-6200U) vs 16 (Core i7-3540M) — the Core i7-3540M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Integrated (Core i5-6200U) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3540M).

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Core i7-3540M
Socket	BGA1356	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6200U) vs true (Core i7-3540M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6200U) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3540M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6200U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6200U rivals A12-9700P; Core i7-3540M rivals AMD A10-5750M.

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Core i7-3540M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 520	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	—