Intel Core i3-540 processor review

Core i3-540 processor released by Intel; release date: January 2010. At the time of release, the processor cost $45. The processor is designed for desktop-computers and based on Clarkdale microarchitecture.

CPU is locked to prevent overclocking. Total number of cores - 2, threads - 4. Maximum CPU clock speed - 3.06 GHz. Maximum operating temperature - 72.6°C. Manufacturing process technology - 32 nm. Cache size: L1 - 64 KB (per core), L2 - 256 KB (per core), L3 - 4096 KB (shared).

Supported memory types: DDR3 1066/1333. Maximum memory size: 16.38 GB.

Supported socket types: FCLGA1156. Maximum number of processors in a configuration - 1. Power consumption (TDP): 73 Watt.

The processor has integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics.

Benchmarks

PassMark
Single thread mark

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

4870

1269

PassMark
CPU mark

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

156834

1540

Geekbench 4
Single Core

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

5311

459

Geekbench 4
Multi-Core

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

36691

1015

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Face Detection

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

97.640 mPixels/s

0.508 mPixels/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Ocean Surface Simulation

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

741.453 Frames/s

29.815 Frames/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
T-Rex

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

4.623 Frames/s

0.151 Frames/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Video Composition

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

49.002 Frames/s

0.816 Frames/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Bitcoin Mining

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

218.231 mHash/s

2.263 mHash/s

Name	Value
PassMark - Single thread mark	1269
PassMark - CPU mark	1540
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	459
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1015
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection	0.508 mPixels/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation	29.815 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex	0.151 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition	0.816 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining	2.263 mHash/s

Specifications (specs)

Essentials
Architecture codename	Clarkdale
Launch date	January 2010
Launch price (MSRP)	$45
Place in performance rating	2965
Price now	$21
Processor Number	i3-540
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)	37.72
Vertical segment	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	3.06 GHz
Bus Speed	2.5 GT/s DMI
Die size	81 mm2
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	4096 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	32 nm
Maximum core temperature	72.6°C
Maximum frequency	3.06 GHz
Number of cores	2
Number of threads	4
Transistor count	382 million
VID voltage range	0.6500V-1.4000V

Memory
Max memory channels	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	21 GB/s
Maximum memory size	16.38 GB
Supported memory types	DDR3 1066/1333
Graphics
Graphics base frequency	733 MHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Processor graphics	Intel HD Graphics
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	2
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1156
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	73 Watt
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	16
PCI Express revision	2.0
PCIe configurations	1x16, 2x8
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Flexible Display interface (FDI)
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Physical Address Extensions (PAE)	36-bit
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)