Core i7-3540M vs Core i5-4308U

Core i7-3540M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2013

Core i5-4308U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3540M

2 / 4

2,984

+0.2%

2,978

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 i7-3540M is positioned at rank 81 and the Core i5-4308U is on rank 700, so the Core i7-3540M 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 i7-3540M

#69

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

246%

#70

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

242%

#71

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

222%

#72

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

221%

#73

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

219%

#75

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

212%

#76

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

203%

#77

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

203%

#78

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

197%

#81

Core i7-3540M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#88

Core 2 Duo T7500

MSRP: $316|Avg: $5

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4308U

#688

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

985%

#689

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

971%

#690

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

891%

#691

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

887%

#692

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

879%

#694

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

849%

#695

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

814%

#696

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

813%

#697

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

791%

#700

Core i5-4308U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#705

C-60

MSRP: $50|Avg: $20

100%

#712

Core i7-10850H

MSRP: $395|Avg: N/A

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-3540M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-4308U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i7-3540M	Core i5-4308U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-3540M	Core i5-4308U
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 i7-3540M Benchmark Check

Core i5-4308U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3540M and Core i5-4308U

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.

Core i5-4308U

The Core i5-4308U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,978 points. Launch price was $315.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3540M and Core i5-4308U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3540M versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4308U — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-3540M (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-3540M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4308U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3540M scores 2,984 against the Core i5-4308U's 2,978 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-3540M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3540M vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4308U.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	Core i5-4308U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,984	2,978

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4308U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-3540M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4308U — the Core i7-3540M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-3540M supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3540M) vs 12 (Core i5-4308U) — the Core i7-3540M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	Core i5-4308U
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+53233%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32	16 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-3540M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4308U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3540M) and Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4308U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4308U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i7-3540M rivals AMD A10-5750M.