Core i7-13700K vs Pentium N3540
Core i7-13700K
Pentium N3540
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-13700K
Performance Per Dollar Pentium N3540
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-13700K | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ More affordable ($161) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-13700K | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1427%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ More affordable ($161) |
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 Core i7-13700K and Pentium N3540
Core i7-13700K
The Core i7-13700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Pentium N3540 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 — a 68% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium N3540 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Pentium N3540's 1,207 — a 189.7% lead for the Core i7-13700K. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540.
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24+300% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 5.4 GHz+103% | 2.66 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+57% | 2.16 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total)+1400% | 2 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2 MB |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) | Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 45,784+3693% | 1,207 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 31,000 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,846 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 18,980 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Pentium N3540 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FCBGA1170 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+150% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-13700K) / not specified (Pentium N3540). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Pentium N3540 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Pentium N3540 debuted at $161. At current prices ($400 vs $161), the Pentium N3540 is $239 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Pentium N3540 — making the Core i7-13700K the 175.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $409 | $161-61% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $400 | $161-60% |
| Performance per Dollar | 114.5+1427% | 7.5 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2014 |
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