Core i7-5650U vs Core i7-3540M

Core i7-5650U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2015

Core i7-3540M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-5650U

2 / 4

3,000

+0.5%

2,984

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 i7-5650U is positioned at rank 592 and the Core i7-3540M is on rank 81, 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 i7-5650U

#184

Core Ultra 7 266V

MSRP: $520|Avg: $520

99%

#579

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

782%

#580

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

771%

#581

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

708%

#582

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

705%

#583

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

698%

#585

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

674%

#586

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

646%

#587

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

645%

#588

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

628%

#592

Core i7-5650U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3540M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-5650U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.5% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-5650U	Core i7-3540M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-5650U	Core i7-3540M
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 i7-5650U Benchmark Check

Core i7-3540M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-5650U and Core i7-3540M

Core i7-5650U

The Core i7-5650U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,000 points. Launch price was $426.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5650U and Core i7-3540M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-5650U versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3540M — a 17.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3540M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-5650U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3540M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5650U scores 3,000 against the Core i7-3540M's 2,984 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-5650U. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-5650U	Core i7-3540M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,000	2,984

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5650U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3540M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-5650U	Core i7-3540M
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-5650U) / true (Core i7-3540M). The Core i7-3540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i7-5650U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3540M rivals AMD A10-5750M.