FX-4300 vs Core i7-3540M
FX-4300
Core i7-3540M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 FX-4300 is positioned at rank 696 and the Core i7-3540M is on rank 81, so the Core i7-3540M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-4300
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3540M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-4300 | Core i7-3540M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-4300 | Core i7-3540M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FX-4300 and Core i7-3540M
FX-4300
The FX-4300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,995 points. Launch price was $122.
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
The FX-4300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3540M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-4300 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3540M — a 7.8% clock advantage for the FX-4300 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The FX-4300 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3540M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-4300 scores 2,995 against the Core i7-3540M's 2,984 — a 0.4% lead for the FX-4300.
| Feature | FX-4300 | Core i7-3540M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+8% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+27% | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4096 kB+1500% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,995 | 2,984 |
Memory & Platform
The FX-4300 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3540M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | FX-4300 | Core i7-3540M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (FX-4300) / true (Core i7-3540M). The Core i7-3540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-4300 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3540M rivals AMD A10-5750M.
| Feature | FX-4300 | Core i7-3540M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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