Core i7-3540M vs PRO A10-8770E

Core i7-3540M vs PRO A10-8770E Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3540M

2 / 4

2,984

0.0%

3,001

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper 1920

Ryzen AI Max 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i7-3540M vs PRO A10-8770E 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 PRO A10-8770E: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while PRO A10-8770E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,984 vs 3,001).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

PRO A10-8770E

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $395 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 PRO A10-8770E better than Core i7-3540M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3540M is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, PRO A10-8770E pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, PRO A10-8770E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

PRO A10-8770E is the better buy right now. PRO A10-8770E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $395 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3540M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

PRO A10-8770E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 PRO A10-8770E 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.

PRO A10-8770E

The PRO A10-8770E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Outubro 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,001 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3540M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A10-8770E offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A10-8770E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3540M versus 3.5 GHz on the PRO A10-8770E — a 5.6% 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 PRO A10-8770E uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3540M scores 2,984 against the PRO A10-8770E's 3,001 — a 0.6% lead for the PRO A10-8770E.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	PRO A10-8770E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	22 nm-21%	28 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,984	3,001

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A10-8770E uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3540M	PRO A10-8770E
Socket	PGA988	AM4
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 (PRO A10-8770E). The Core i7-3540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the PRO A10-8770E requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3540M rivals AMD A10-5750M.