Core i7-3540M vs Pentium G4560T

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 i7-3540M vs Pentium G4560T 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 i7-3540M vs Pentium G4560T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3540M

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium G4560T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,984 vs 2,994).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Pentium G4560T

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $64 MSRP, while Core i7-3540M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3540M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4560T better than Core i7-3540M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3540M is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4560T pulls ahead with 0.3% 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, Pentium G4560T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G4560T is the better buy right now. Pentium G4560T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $64 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3540M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (46.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G4560T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 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 i7-3540M vs Pentium G4560T Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium G4560T

The Pentium G4560T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,994 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3540M and Pentium G4560T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3540M versus 2.9 GHz on the Pentium G4560T — a 24.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3540M (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-3540M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G4560T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3540M scores 2,984 against the Pentium G4560T's 2,994 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium G4560T. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3540M vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G4560T.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	Pentium G4560T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+28%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+3%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,984	2,994

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G4560T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	Pentium G4560T
Socket	PGA988	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-3540M) / not specified (Pentium G4560T). The Core i7-3540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium G4560T requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3540M rivals AMD A10-5750M.