Pentium E6700 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.

Pentium E6700 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.

Pentium E6700 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.

Pentium E6700

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $75 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅Delivers 89.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.2 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium N3540

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,207 vs 1,219).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 14.2 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6700 better than Pentium N3540?

Yes. Pentium E6700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium E6700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% 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 E6700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E6700 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6700 comes in $75 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $161 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 89.1% better value on MSRP (14.2 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), 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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium E6700 vs Pentium N3540 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium E6700

The Pentium E6700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,219 points. Launch price was $80.

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 Pentium E6700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3540 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Pentium E6700 versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 — a 18.4% clock advantage for the Pentium E6700 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Pentium E6700 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium N3540 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium E6700 scores 1,219 against the Pentium N3540's 1,207 — a 1% lead for the Pentium E6700. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium E6700 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540.

Feature	Pentium E6700	Pentium N3540
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+20%	2.66 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+48%	2.16 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,219	1,207

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium E6700 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N3540 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium E6700	Pentium N3540
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Pentium E6700) / not specified (Pentium N3540). Primary use case: Pentium E6700 targets Desktop.

Feature	Pentium E6700	Pentium N3540
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium E6700 was priced at $86, while the Pentium N3540 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($86 vs $161), Pentium E6700 was $75 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium E6700 delivers 14.2 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Pentium N3540 — making the Pentium E6700 the 61.6% better value option.

Feature	Pentium E6700	Pentium N3540
MSRP	$86-47%	$161
Performance per Dollar	14.2+89%	7.5
Release Date	2010	2014

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