Core i7-3540M

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-3540M

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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 i7-3540M based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,416 Rank: 1378
Rank Name Score Visual
1374 Intel Core i7-740QM 4,419
+0.1%
1375 Athlon II X3 460 4,418
+0%
1376 Celeron G1620 4,418
+0%
1377 Pentium G2010 4,417
+0%
1378 Core i7-3540M 4,416
1379 Xeon W3540 4,416
+0%
1380 Core i7-2640M 4,415
+-0%
1381 Xeon E5530 4,413
-0.1%
1382 Core i7-2677M 4,412
-0.1%
1383 Core i5-2435M 4,412
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-3540M based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,401 Rank: 1449
Rank Name Score Visual
1445 Celeron J4125 4,403
+0%
1446 Intel Core i5-560M 4,402
+0%
1447 Pentium G3450T 4,402
+0%
1448 Core i5-2435M 4,401
+0%
1449 Core i7-3540M 4,401
1450 Core i5-5200U 4,401
+0%
1451 Core i3-2120T 4,401
+0%
1452 Core i5-670 4,401
+0%
1453 Intel Core i5-460M 4,400
+-0%
1454 Celeron N2840 4,400
+-0%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-3540M based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,426 Rank: 1366
Rank Name Score Visual
1362 FX-6120 4,427
+0%
1363 Athlon II X4 631 4,427
+0%
1364 Core i3-5010U 4,427
+0%
1365 A10 PRO-7800B 4,427
+0%
1366 Core i7-3540M 4,426
1367 Celeron G1820T 4,424
+-0%
1368 Core i5-660 4,423
-0.1%
1369 Pentium G640 4,422
-0.1%
1370 Core i3-3110M 4,422
-0.1%
1371 Pentium G630 4,421
-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 i7-3540M based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,550 Rank: 1168
Rank Name Score Visual
1164 Core i5-4200H 4,551
+0%
1165 Pentium Silver N6000 4,551
+0%
1166 Athlon X4 730 4,551
+0%
1167 Core i7-5650U 4,550
+0%
1168 Core i7-3540M 4,550
1169 Xeon E5420 4,550
+0%
1170 Core i3-4160T 4,550
+0%
1171 Core i7-6500U 4,549
+-0%
1172 Core i5-7200U 4,549
+-0%
1173 Core i3-7167U 4,549
+-0%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-3540M based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,531 Rank: 1158
Rank Name Score Visual
1154 Core i7-6498DU 4,531
+0%
1155 Core i3-7167U 4,531
+0%
1156 Atom C3558 4,531
+0%
1157 Core i3-3250 4,531
+0%
1158 Core i7-3540M 4,531
1159 Pentium Silver N6000 4,531
+0%
1160 Celeron J4125 4,531
+0%
1161 Core i5-7200U 4,530
+-0%
1162 Core i5-6267U 4,530
+-0%
1163 Core i5-3380M 4,530
+-0%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-3540M based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,550 Rank: 1105
Rank Name Score Visual
1101 Athlon X4 845 4,551
+0%
1102 Core m3-8100Y 4,551
+0%
1103 Core i3-6157U 4,550
+0%
1104 Core i3-3250 4,550
+0%
1105 Core i7-3540M 4,550
1106 Athlon X4 880K 4,550
+0%
1107 Core i5-4210M 4,550
+0%
1108 Core i3-7100U 4,550
+0%
1109 Xeon L5638 4,550
+0%
1110 Core i3-2125 4,549
+-0%

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Core i7-3540M Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i7-3540M remains a notable example of mid-range mobile performance from the early Haswell era, offering a balance of efficiency and computational capability. Though released in 2013, its 35 W TDP and 22 nm manufacturing process reflect the power efficiency goals of that generation, positioning it as a capable processor for lightweight workloads and general productivity. The chip's dual-core, quad-thread design, enabled by Hyper-Threading, allows it to handle multitasking and lightly threaded applications effectively, though it is now significantly outpaced by modern processors.

The Core i7-3540M operates at a base frequency of 3.0 GHz, with a turbo boost reaching up to 3.7 GHz, providing a noticeable performance uplift under load. It supports DDR3 memory at speeds up to 1600 MHz and features a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s across two channels, which was competitive at the time of release. The processor integrates Intel HD Graphics 4000, a GPU capable of handling basic multimedia and light gaming, with a base frequency of 650 MHz and a burst frequency of up to 1300 MHz. It supports up to three displays, making it suitable for dual-monitor setups in mobile environments.

In terms of real-world performance, the Core i7-3540M achieves an overall Passmark score of 4416, placing it at #1378 out of 2060 processors in the database. Its single-core score of 4426 ranks at #1366, indicating that while it holds up reasonably well in tasks dependent on clock speed and instruction throughput, its multicore performance is more modest, with a score of 4401 and a rank of #1448. This suggests that its single-threaded efficiency is a strength, but its dual-core architecture limits its ability to scale in heavily parallel workloads.

When compared to contemporary CPUs, the Core i7-3540M is outperformed by modern offerings such as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Core Ultra 9 285K, which dominate the top 50 lists with scores exceeding 8,000 in single-core and 12,000 in multicore performance. Even within its own generation, it trails behind higher-end variants like the Core i7-4900MQ and Core i7-4700HQ. Nevertheless, it remains competitive with many older mobile processors, such as the Core i5-460M and Celeron N2840, and is slightly faster than the Core i3-3240T and Core i7-2640M.

The Core i7-3540M supports a range of modern technologies, including AES-NI for encryption, AVX2 for vectorized operations, and Intel vPro for enterprise features. It also includes VT-x and VT-d for virtualization, EIST for dynamic frequency scaling, and TXT for secure execution. These features make it suitable for business environments and light virtualization tasks, though its age limits its compatibility with newer software optimizations.

In summary, the Core i7-3540M is best suited for users seeking a reliable, energy-efficient processor for general computing, office work, and media consumption. While it is no longer competitive in high-performance scenarios, its longevity and broad feature set make it a viable option for older laptops or systems where upgrade paths are limited.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 47 views

Intel Xeon W-3223 37 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 32 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116 32 views

AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X 31 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116T 30 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4210 30 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 30 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 29 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 29 views

Intel Core i7-3540M

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-3540M
Model Number: i7-3540M
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 3000 MHz
Socket: FCBGA1023, FCPGA988
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 35 W

Cache Specifications

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 3.0
PCIe Lanes: 16
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 4000
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1300 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 22 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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