Core i7-3540M vs Pentium Gold 6500Y

CPU

GPU

Core i7-3540M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2013

Pentium Gold 6500Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2021

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3540M

2 / 4

2,984

+0.6%

2,966

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 Pentium Gold 6500Y is on rank 346, 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 Pentium Gold 6500Y

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

99%

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

98%

#334

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

495%

#335

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

487%

#336

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

447%

#337

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

445%

#338

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

441%

#340

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

426%

#341

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

409%

#342

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

408%

#343

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

397%

#346

Pentium Gold 6500Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Gold 6500Y (2021) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-3540M	Pentium Gold 6500Y
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)	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3540M (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-3540M	Pentium Gold 6500Y
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

Pentium Gold 6500Y Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3540M and Pentium Gold 6500Y

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 Gold 6500Y

The Pentium Gold 6500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,966 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3540M and Pentium Gold 6500Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3540M versus 3.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 6500Y — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-3540M (base: 3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-3540M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold 6500Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3540M scores 2,984 against the Pentium Gold 6500Y's 2,966 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-3540M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3540M vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold 6500Y.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	Pentium Gold 6500Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+173%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,984	2,966

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold 6500Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	Pentium Gold 6500Y
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-3540M) / not specified (Pentium Gold 6500Y). The Core i7-3540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium Gold 6500Y requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3540M rivals AMD A10-5750M.