Intel

Core i3 540

Core i3 540
BENCHMARKS (24,563)
MKT (0%)
BUILDS
SPECS
(4)
BUY • $60

Effective Speed -132%Effective Speed -132%Average Score -267%Memory -31%, 1-Core -177%, 2-Core -210%, 4-Core -321%, 8-Core -597%Overclocked Score -244%1-Core -157%, 2-Core -163%, 4-Core -297%, 8-Core -573%, Memory -28%Value & Sentiment User Rating -86%, Market Share -∞%, Price 274%, Value -67%Nice To Haves -760%64-Core -957%, 64-Core -1,012%, Age -310%

Average Bench: 45.9% (910^th of 1442)

Based on 24,563 user benchmarks. Devices: BFEBFBFF00020655, BFEBFBFF00020652 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 540 @ 3.07GHz

Poor: 33%Average: 45.9% Great: 52%

Gaming 46%

Yacht

Desktop 52%

Yacht

Workstation 33%

Sail boat

Popular builds with this CPU

Below average average bench

The Intel Core i3 540 averaged 54.1% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 63.5Pts

Avg. Single Core Speed 66.8Pts

See where your CPU ranks →

Very good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i3 540 is just 18.5%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i3 540 performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 170Pts

Avg. Octa Core Speed 169Pts

Average Bench

(Based on 24,563 samples)

Rank 91045.9%

Min	Avg	Max
47.3	Memory 63.5	72.1
42.7	1-Core 66.8	75.8
69.2	2-Core 117	147
49.6% 82.6 Pts

Min	Avg	Max
101	4-Core 165	190
110	8-Core 169	190
22.2% 167 Pts

Min	Avg	Max
108	64-Core 170	191
10.5% 170 Pts

User Benchmarks

Bench

Normal

Heavy

Server

The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%

CAN-User, 10 days ago.Core i3 540,

LGA1156, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

51.2% Above average

Memory 75.8

1-Core 63.8

2-Core 102

51% 80.7 Pts

4-Core 151

8-Core 184

22% 168 Pts

64-Core 183

11% 183 Pts

ROU-User, 21 days ago.Core i3 540,

CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

49.5% Average

Memory 69.1

1-Core 74.5

2-Core 121

54% 88.1 Pts

4-Core 175

8-Core 177

24% 176 Pts

64-Core 176

11% 176 Pts

SWE-User, 11 days ago.Core i3 540,

Socket 1156, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

48% Average

Memory 64.8

1-Core 75.6

2-Core 147

55% 95.9 Pts

4-Core 183

8-Core 183

24% 183 Pts

64-Core 183

11% 183 Pts

USA-User, 17 days ago.Core i3 540,

CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

47.8% Average

Memory 64.6

1-Core 74.9

2-Core 135

54% 91.4 Pts

4-Core 181

8-Core 180

24% 180 Pts

64-Core 181

11% 181 Pts

SWE-User, 11 days ago.Core i3 540,

Socket 1156, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

47.1% Average

Memory 69.5

1-Core 71.8

2-Core 115

52% 85.3 Pts

4-Core 147

8-Core 139

19% 143 Pts

64-Core 138

9% 138 Pts

CAN-User, 6 days ago.Core i3 540,

LGA1156, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

47% Average

Memory 63

1-Core 74.7

2-Core 145

54% 94.2 Pts

4-Core 182

8-Core 176

24% 179 Pts

64-Core 183

11% 183 Pts

HUN-User, 8 days ago.Core i3 540,

Socket 1156, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

46.6% Average

Memory 68.6

1-Core 66.2

2-Core 124

52% 86.4 Pts

4-Core 144

8-Core 153

20% 148 Pts

64-Core 166

10% 166 Pts

HUN-User, 5 days ago.Core i3 540,

CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

42.2% Average

Memory 57.3

1-Core 75.7

2-Core 131

51% 88 Pts

4-Core 159

8-Core 158

21% 158 Pts

64-Core 159

10% 159 Pts

HUN-User, 4 days ago.Core i3 540,

CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads

Base clock 3.05 GHz, turbo 3.05 GHz (avg)

41.6% Average

Memory 59.4

1-Core 65

2-Core 106

46% 76.7 Pts

4-Core 136

8-Core 156

19% 146 Pts

64-Core 157

10% 157 Pts

24,563 MORE »

Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,756,953 CPUs tested

Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

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CPU

GPU

SSD

HDD

RAM

MBD

Typical Core i3 540 Builds (Compare 24,254 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings

Gaming 2%

Tree trunk

Desktop 45%

Yacht

Workstation 2%

Tree trunk

Disqualified System: bin bin

CPU
Core i3 540Intel $60Bench 46%, 24,563 samples	1x

GPU
HD 2000 (Desktop 1.1 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 150,891 samples	1,322x
SVGA 3DVmwareBench 20%, 11,474 samples	1,139x
GTX 1050-TiNvidia $59Bench 29%, 946,701 samples	1,040x

SSD
A400 240GBKingston $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples	821x
Virtual NVMe Disk 64GBVmwareBench 62%, 2,103 samples	455x
A400 480GBKingston $38Bench 74%, 237,487 samples	424x

RAM
2x2GBUnknownBench 20%, 446,702 samples	516x
4x2GBUnknownBench 25%, 183,252 samples	376x
1x8GBUnknownBench 38%, 168,538 samples	297x

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER

Value: 55% - Above average

Total price: $88

Popular Core i3 540 systems:

How Fast Is Your CPU? (Bench your build) Size up your PC in less than a minute

Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.

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How it works

- Download and run UserBenchmark
- CPU tests include: integer, floating and string
- GPU tests include: six 3D game simulations
- Drive tests include: read, write, sustained write and mixed IO
- RAM tests include: single/multi core bandwidth and latency
- SkillBench (space shooter) tests user input accuracy
- Reports are generated and presented on userbenchmark.com
- Identify the strongest components in your PC
- See speed test results from other users
- Compare your components to the current market leaders
- Explore your best upgrade options with a virtual PC build
- Compare your in-game FPS to other users with your hardware

Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) April 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. ^[CPUPro]

Group Test Results

Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

Specifications

Essentials

Description	Intel® Core™ i3-540 Processor (4M Cache, 3.06 GHz)
Code Name	Clarkdale
Launch Date	Q1'10
Processor Number	i3-540
# of Cores	2
# of Threads	4
Cache	4 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set	64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions	SSE4.2
Embedded Options Available	Yes
Lithography	32 nm
VID Voltage Range	0.6500V-1.4000V
Recommended Price	$109.00 - $117.00
Clock Speed	3.06 GHz
Bus Speed	2.5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP	73 W

Graphics

Processor Graphics	Intel® HD Graphics
Graphics Base Frequency	733 MHz
# of Displays Supported	2
Clear Video HD Tech	Yes
Flexible Display Interface	Yes

Memory

Max Memory Size	16 GB
Memory Types	DDR3 1066/1333
Memory Channels	2
Memory Bandwidth	21 GB/s
Physical Address Extensions	36-bit

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision	2.0
PCI Express Configurations	1x16, 2x8
Max # of PCI Express Lanes	16

Data Protection

AES New Instructions	No

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)	Yes
Intel 64	Yes
Idle States	Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Tech	Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies	No
Turbo Boost Tech	No
Hyper-Threading Tech	Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)	Yes
Demand Based Switching	No
vPro Tech	No

Package

Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Graphics and IMC Lithography	45 nm
Max CPU Configuration	1
Sockets Supported	FCLGA1156
Processing Die Size	81 mm2
# of Processing Die Transistors	382 million
Graphics and IMC Die Size	114 mm2
# of Graphics and IMC Die Transistors	177 million

Platform Protection

Execute Disable Bit	Yes
Trusted Execution Tech	No

Comments

Added n/a ago.

USA-User

level
9,838

Excellent (edit your comment) Add link

17 months ago.

SRB-User

level
2,780

Excellent

5 years ago.

I am gamer and I see that this processor is good for gaming I play games like fortnite. This processor is very good for games like fortnite.

NZL-User

level
2,130

Average

4 years ago.

Good value. I bought mine secondhand and it cost me 15 NZD, 5 of which was for shipping. Haven't benchmarked, but an increased clock speed is handy for web browsing and light gaming.

ColdSpy

level
330

Good

4 years ago.

This hyperthreaded dual core Clarkdale processor was great for most users as this CPU comes very cheap and offered strong performance for that price. Still worth it today albeit for light gaming and modern basic tasks.

Your
opinion?

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Ready to retire
Age: 10 years

Speed Comparisons

vs Intel Core i5-13600K
vs Intel Core i5-12400F
vs Intel Core i5-12600K
vs Intel Core i3-12100F
vs Intel Core i7-13700K
vs Intel Core i9-13900K
vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600
vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
vs Intel Core i7-11700K

1442 Processors (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different CPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Processors FAQ

AMD vs Intel: Gaming performance 2012-2021

How does IPC compare between AMD's Ryzen and Intel's Kaby Lake?

What is multi core mixed speed?

What is multi core integer speed?

What is multi core floating point speed?

What is single core mixed CPU speed?

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What is quad core floating point speed?

What is quad core integer speed?

What is single core floating point speed?

What is single core integer speed?

What is the GeekBench single core score?

What is a CPU?

What is the effective CPU speed index?

What is overclocking?

What is thermal design power (TDP)?

ALL FAQs »

CPU	GPU	SSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $273	Nvidia RTX 4060 $295	Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133	Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385	Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $177	Nvidia RTX 4070 $539	Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52

HDD	RAM	USB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39	Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $45	SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $37	Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $43	SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
Seagate Barracuda 2TB (2016) $51	G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3200 C14 4x16GB $351	SanDisk Ultra Fit 32GB $16

Intel

Core i3 540

Average Bench: 45.9% (910^th of 1442)

Popular builds with this CPU

Below average average bench

Strengths

Very good consistency

Weaknesses

Average Bench

Market Share (See Leaders)

Prices

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

Disqualified System: bin bin

Popular Core i3 540 systems:

UserBenchmark of the month

How it works

Group Test Results

Specifications

Essentials

Graphics

Memory

Expansion Options

Data Protection

Advanced Technologies

Package

Platform Protection

Comments

Excellent (edit your comment) Add link

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Average

Good

Speed Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Best User Rated

Intel

Core i3 540

Average Bench: 45.9% (910th of 1442)

Popular builds with this CPU

Below average average bench

Strengths

Very good consistency

Weaknesses

Average Bench

Market Share (See Leaders)

Prices

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

Disqualified System: bin bin

Popular Core i3 540 systems:

UserBenchmark of the month

How it works

Group Test Results

Specifications

Essentials

Graphics

Memory

Expansion Options

Data Protection

Advanced Technologies

Package

Platform Protection

Share a related link

Comments

Excellent (edit your comment) Add link

Excellent

Average

Good

Speed Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Best User Rated

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Average Bench: 45.9% (910^th of 1442)