Athlon 64 3800+ vs i3-540

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-540
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
0.97
+143%
Athlon 64 3800+
2004
1 core / 1 thread, 89 Watt
0.40

Core i3-540 outperforms Athlon 64 3800+ by a whopping 143% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+ processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking24963005
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.11no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.260.43
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)Venice (2004−2005)
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)June 2004 (20 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$45$160

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+ 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 cores2 (Dual-core)1 (Single-Core)
Threads41
Base clock speed3.06 GHzno data
Boost clock speed0.07 GHz2.4 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)128 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512 KB
L3 cache4 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography32 nm130 nm
Die size81 mm2230 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data70 °C
Number of transistors382 million227 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+ 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1156939
Power consumption (TDP)73 Watt89 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+ technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+ are enumerated here.

VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR1
Maximum memory size16.38 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processorsno data
Clear Video HD+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+ integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+.

PCIe version2.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-540 0.97
+143%
Athlon 64 3800+ 0.40

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-540 1540
+143%
Athlon 64 3800+ 635

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 0.97 0.40
Physical cores 2 1
Threads 4 1
Chip lithography 32 nm 130 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 73 Watt 89 Watt

i3-540 has a 142.5% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more physical cores and 300% more threads, a 306.3% more advanced lithography process, and 21.9% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-540 is our recommended choice as it beats the Athlon 64 3800+ in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-540 and Athlon 64 3800+, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-540
Core i3-540
AMD Athlon 64 3800+
Athlon 64 3800+

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

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