CPU
GPU
Pentium N3540
Phenom X3 8450
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 Pentium N3540 is positioned at rank 1149 and the Phenom X3 8450 is on rank 1023, so the Phenom X3 8450 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium N3540
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8450
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium N3540 | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) | ✅ More affordable ($147) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium N3540 | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+11%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) | ✅ More affordable ($147) |
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 Pentium N3540 and Phenom X3 8450
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.
Phenom X3 8450
The Phenom X3 8450 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,221 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Pentium N3540 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X3 8450 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Pentium N3540 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom X3 8450 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Pentium N3540. The Pentium N3540 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom X3 8450 uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium N3540 scores 1,207 against the Phenom X3 8450's 1,221 — a 1.2% lead for the Phenom X3 8450. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8450.
| Feature | Pentium N3540 | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+33% | 3 / 3 |
| Boost Clock | 2.66 GHz+27% | 2.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.16 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB L2 Cache | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-66% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) | Toliman (2008) |
| PassMark | 1,207 | 1,221+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium N3540 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X3 8450 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium N3540 | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1170 | AM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Pentium N3540 launched at $161 MSRP, while the Phenom X3 8450 debuted at $145. At current prices ($161 vs $147), the Phenom X3 8450 is $14 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium N3540 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the Phenom X3 8450 — making the Phenom X3 8450 the 10.2% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium N3540 | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $161 | $145-10% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $161 | $147-9% |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.5 | 8.3+11% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2008 |
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