Core i7-3540M Benchmarks & Performance Report

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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%

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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%

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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.