i5-7440EQ vs i3-540
Aggregate performance score
Core i5-7440EQ outperforms Core i3-540 by a whopping 271% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 2494 | 1512 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.11 | 0.72 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | no data | Intel Core i5 |
| Power efficiency | 1.25 | 7.53 |
| Architecture codename | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| Release date | 7 January 2010 (14 years ago) | 3 January 2017 (7 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $45 | $250 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
i5-7440EQ has 555% better value for money than i3-540.
Detailed specifications
Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ 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 | 2 (Dual-core) | 4 (Quad-Core) |
| Threads | 4 | 4 |
| Base clock speed | 3.06 GHz | no data |
| Boost clock speed | 0.07 GHz | 2.9 GHz |
| Bus type | no data | DMI 3.0 |
| Bus rate | 2.5 GT/s | 8 GT/s |
| Multiplier | no data | 29 |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 256 KB |
| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 14 nm |
| Die size | 81 mm2 | no data |
| Maximum core temperature | 73 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | 382 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ 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 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | FCLGA1156 | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 73 Watt | 45 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.2 | no data |
| AES-NI | - | + |
| AVX | - | + |
| vPro | no data | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | - | no data |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | no data |
| TSX | - | + |
| Idle States | + | no data |
| Demand Based Switching | - | no data |
| PAE | 36 Bit | no data |
| FDI | + | no data |
Security technologies
Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | - | + |
| EDB | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ 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 i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Maximum memory size | 16.38 GB | 64 GB |
| Max memory channels | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 21 GB/s | 34.134 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card Compare | Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors | Intel HD Graphics 630 |
| Clear Video HD | + | no data |
Graphics interfaces
Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ integrated GPUs.
| Number of displays supported | 2 | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ.
| PCIe version | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 16 | 16 |
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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 0.97 | 3.60 |
| Integrated graphics card | 0.77 | 3.11 |
| Recency | 7 January 2010 | 3 January 2017 |
| Physical cores | 2 | 4 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 14 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 73 Watt | 45 Watt |
i5-7440EQ has a 271.1% higher aggregate performance score, 303.9% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 6 years, 100% more physical cores, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 62.2% lower power consumption.
The Core i5-7440EQ is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-540 in performance tests.
Note that Core i3-540 is a desktop processor while Core i5-7440EQ is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-540 and Core i5-7440EQ, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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