Core i3 540

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i3 540

Sysbuilds Alpha Stage!

Please take all results with a big grain of salt. Sysbuilds is in alpha stage at the moment which can lead to wrong data, strange counting errors, silly results and more. This site is under active development.

Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i3 540 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,400 Rank: 1399
Rank Name Score Visual
1395 Phenom II X4 840 4,404
+0.1%
1396 Celeron G1820T 4,404
+0.1%
1397 Intel Core i5-540M 4,403
+0.1%
1398 Core i3-3120M 4,402
+0%
1399 Core i3 540 4,400
1400 Xeon X5450 4,400
+0%
1401 Phenom II X6 1035T 4,400
+0%
1402 Core i7-940 4,400
+0%
1403 Intel Core i3-390M 4,399
+-0%
1404 Core M-5Y10 4,399
+-0%

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Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i3 540 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,223 Rank: 1978
Rank Name Score Visual
1974 A4-1250 4,225
+0%
1975 Intel Celeron J3060 4,224
+0%
1976 Core 2 Duo T6570 4,224
+0%
1977 E1-2100 4,224
+0%
1978 Core i3 540 4,223
1979 Core M-5Y31 4,222
+-0%
1980 Atom N2600 4,222
+-0%
1981 Sempron 3500+ 4,222
+-0%
1982 V120 4,221
+-0%
1983 E-300 4,221
+-0%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i3 540 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,518 Rank: 1274
Rank Name Score Visual
1270 Core i3-6100H 4,522
+0.1%
1271 Core i5-3230M 4,519
+0%
1272 Core i7-2630QM 4,518
+0%
1273 Phenom II X6 1090T 4,518
+0%
1274 Core i3 540 4,518
1275 Core i5 650 4,517
+-0%
1276 Celeron G1820 4,517
+-0%
1277 FX-6300 4,516
+-0%
1278 Core i7-980X 4,516
+-0%
1279 A8-7670K 4,512
-0.1%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i3 540 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Number Crunching score not yet available.

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i3 540 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Data Processing score not yet available.

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i3 540 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Physics & Compute score not yet available.

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Core i3 540 Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i3-540 remains a relic of the late 2000s, representing an era when dual-core processors were the mainstream standard. Despite its age, the chip still holds relevance in niche retro builds and legacy system support, particularly for users maintaining older motherboards based on the FCLGA1156 socket. With a base clock of 3.06 GHz and a turbo frequency of 2.7 GHz, the Core i3-540 delivers modest single-threaded performance that, while outdated by modern standards, was competitive in its time. The processor’s 32 nm manufacturing process and 73 W TDP reflect the power and thermal constraints of early 3rd-generation Intel CPUs, making it less efficient compared to today’s low-power designs. Its dual-core, quad-thread configuration, enabled by Hyper-Threading, allows it to handle light multitasking, though its performance in modern applications is severely limited by outdated architecture and memory bandwidth.

The Core i3-540’s benchmark data underscores its position as a mid-tier performer from a bygone era. It achieves an Overall Score of 4400, placing it at #1399 out of 2060 processors, with a Singlecore Score of 4518 (#1272) and a Multicore Score of 4223 (#1978). These results reveal a processor that, while capable in basic tasks, struggles against even entry-level modern CPUs. Its single-core performance is surprisingly competitive when compared to some current low-power designs, but its multicore score lags significantly, reflecting the limitations of its dual-core design. The chip’s performance is comparable to older AMD and Intel models like the Core 2 Duo T6570 and Phenom X4 9600, which were released around the same time. In today’s landscape, it falls far behind the top-tier CPUs like the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX or Core Ultra 9 285K, which dominate both single- and multicore benchmarks.

Despite its age, the Core i3-540 includes several notable features for its time, such as AVX2, AES-NI, and Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology, which allowed it to handle multiple threads simultaneously. It also supports DDR3-1066/1333 memory, with a maximum of 16 GB, and integrates Intel HD Graphics with a base frequency of 733 MHz and a burst frequency of 950 MHz. The integrated GPU supports up to two displays, making it suitable for basic multimedia use. However, its PCIe 2.0 interface and limited memory bandwidth of 21 GB/s restrict its ability to handle modern workloads. The processor also supports ECC memory, though this is only relevant in server or workstation environments, which were not its intended market.

In conclusion, the Intel Core i3-540 is best suited for legacy systems, retro computing, or as a replacement in older desktops where minimal processing power is required. Its performance, while once respectable, is now obsolete in the face of modern multi-core processors with advanced architectures. For users seeking modern performance, this processor is no longer viable, but it remains a testament to Intel’s early efforts in integrating hyper-threading and advanced instruction sets into mainstream desktop CPUs.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 5 3500X 5 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 4 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 4 views

Intel Xeon W-2133 4 views

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4114 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4110 2 views

Intel Core i7-7500U 1 view

Intel Core i3 540

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i3 540
Model Number: i3-540
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 3060 MHz
Socket: FCLGA1156
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 73 W

Cache Specifications

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3 1066/1333
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 21 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 16
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 950 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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