Core i7-680UM vs Pentium N3540

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 i7-680UM vs Pentium N3540 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 i7-680UM vs Pentium N3540: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-680UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,196 vs 1,207).
❌800% higher power demand at 18W vs 2W.

Pentium N3540

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 18W, a 16W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $161 MSRP, while Core i7-680UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3540 better than Core i7-680UM?

Yes. Pentium N3540 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium N3540 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3540 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N3540 is the better buy right now. Pentium N3540 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $161 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N3540 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) 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 i7-680UM vs Pentium N3540 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-680UM

The Core i7-680UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.46 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,196 points. Launch price was $317.

Pentium N3540

The Pentium N3540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,207 points. Launch price was $251.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-680UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N3540 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i7-680UM versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 — a 5% clock advantage for the Pentium N3540 (base: 1.46 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Core i7-680UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium N3540 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-680UM scores 1,196 against the Pentium N3540's 1,207 — a 0.9% lead for the Pentium N3540. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-680UM vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540.

Feature	Core i7-680UM	Pentium N3540
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	2.66 GHz+5%
Base Clock	1.46 GHz	2.16 GHz+48%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+100%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,196	1,207

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-680UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N3540 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.