Core m3-8100Y vs Xeon E5540

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 m3-8100Y is positioned at rank 383 and the Xeon E5540 is on rank 745, so the Core m3-8100Y 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 m3-8100Y

#119

Ryzen 7 PRO 250

MSRP: $400|Avg: $380

98%

#371

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

530%

#372

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

522%

#373

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

480%

#374

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

477%

#375

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

473%

#377

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

457%

#378

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

438%

#379

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

437%

#380

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

426%

#383

Core m3-8100Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#391

Core i5-1145GRE

MSRP: $362|Avg: N/A

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5540

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

14813%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2797%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2485%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1920%

#433

Xeon Gold 6346

MSRP: $2708|Avg: $2195

99%

#434

Xeon W-3225

MSRP: $1319|Avg: $850

99%

#435

Xeon Gold 6354

MSRP: $2878|Avg: $2898

98%

#436

Xeon Gold 5218T

MSRP: $1572|Avg: $1349

97%

#437

Xeon 6960P

MSRP: $9625|Avg: $9625

97%

#745

Xeon E5540

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#747

Xeon E5-2403 v2

MSRP: $192|Avg: $61

99%

#748

Xeon E3-1285 v4

MSRP: $556|Avg: $200

99%

#750

Xeon E3-1260L

MSRP: $294|Avg: $270

99%

#758

Xeon E3-1281 v3

MSRP: $555|Avg: $636

97%

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 Core m3-8100Y (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core m3-8100Y	Xeon E5540
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5540 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core m3-8100Y	Xeon E5540
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 m3-8100Y Benchmark Check

Xeon E5540 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core m3-8100Y and Xeon E5540

Core m3-8100Y

The Core m3-8100Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2018 (7 years ago). 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: 2,767 points. Launch price was $281.

Xeon E5540

The Xeon E5540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,805 points. Launch price was $30.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core m3-8100Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5540 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core m3-8100Y versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5540 — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Core m3-8100Y (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core m3-8100Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5540 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core m3-8100Y scores 2,767 against the Xeon E5540's 2,805 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E5540. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core m3-8100Y vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E5540.

Feature	Core m3-8100Y	Xeon E5540
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+21%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.53 GHz+130%
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,767	2,805+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core m3-8100Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5540 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.