Core i3-540 vs Core 2 Quad Q9550s
Primary details
Comparing Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | not rated | 2378 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 0.11 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Architecture codename | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| Release date | January 2009 (15 years ago) | 7 January 2010 (14 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $45 |
| Current price | $90 | $43 (1x MSRP) |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 4 (Quad-Core) | 2 (Dual-core) |
| Threads | 4 | 4 |
| Base clock speed | 2.83 GHz | 3.06 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 2.83 GHz | 0.07 GHz |
| L1 cache | 64K (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 0 KB | 4 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 45 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | 2x 107 mm2 | 81 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | 76 °C | 73 °C |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 76 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | 820 million | 382 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
| VID voltage range | 0.85V-1.3625V | no data |
Compatibility
Information on Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Number of CPUs in a configuration | 1 | 1 |
| Socket | LGA775 | FCLGA1156 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 65 Watt | 73 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | no data | Intel® SSE4.2 |
| AES-NI | - | - |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | - | - |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | - | + |
| Idle States | + | + |
| Thermal Monitoring | + | - |
| Demand Based Switching | - | - |
| PAE | no data | 36 Bit |
| FDI | no data | + |
| FSB parity | + | no data |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Security technologies
Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | + | - |
| EDB | + | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540 are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | no data |
| VT-x | + | + |
| EPT | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 16.38 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 21 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | Intel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors |
| Clear Video HD | no data | + |
Graphics interfaces
Available interfaces and connections of Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540 integrated GPUs.
| Number of displays supported | no data | 2 |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540.
| PCIe version | no data | 2.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 16 |
Pros & cons summary
| Physical cores | 4 | 2 |
| Chip lithography | 45 nm | 32 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 65 Watt | 73 Watt |
We couldn't decide between Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540. We've got no test results to judge.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q9550s and Core i3-540, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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