Ryzen 3 3250U vs Core i3-540

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Aggregate performance score

Core i3-540
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
0.99
Ryzen 3 3250U
2020
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
2.49
+152%

Ryzen 3 3250U outperforms Core i3-540 by a whopping 152% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking23741669
Place by popularitynot in top-10067
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.11no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataAMD Ryzen 3
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)Picasso (2019−2020)
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)6 January 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$45no data
Current price$29 (0.6x MSRP)$430

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.06 GHz2.6 GHz
Boost clock speed0.07 GHz3.5 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)128K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache4 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm12 nm
Die size81 mm2246 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C95 °C
Number of transistors382 million4500 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U 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
SocketFCLGA1156FP5
Power consumption (TDP)73 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2DDR4-2400 RAM, PCIe 3, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, BMI2, ABM, FMA, ADX, SMEP, SMAP, SMT, CPB, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA, SME
AES-NI-+
FMAno data+
AVXno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring-no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDI+no data
StatusDiscontinuedno data

Security technologies

Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U 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 Ryzen 3 3250U are enumerated here.

AMD-Vno data+
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4
Maximum memory size16.38 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s38.397 GB/s
ECC memory supportno data-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® ProcessorsAMD Radeon RX Vega 3
Clear Video HD+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1612

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 0.99
Ryzen 3 3250U 2.49
+152%

Ryzen 3 3250U outperforms Core i3-540 by 152% based on our aggregate benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i3-540 1535
Ryzen 3 3250U 3847
+151%

Ryzen 3 3250U outperforms Core i3-540 by 151% in Passmark.

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i3-540 407
Ryzen 3 3250U 752
+84.8%

Ryzen 3 3250U outperforms Core i3-540 by 85% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i3-540 837
Ryzen 3 3250U 1450
+73.2%

Ryzen 3 3250U outperforms Core i3-540 by 73% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 0.99 2.49
Recency 7 January 2010 6 January 2020
Chip lithography 32 nm 12 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 73 Watt 15 Watt

The Ryzen 3 3250U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-540 in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-540 is a desktop processor while Ryzen 3 3250U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-540 and Ryzen 3 3250U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-540
Core i3-540
AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
Ryzen 3 3250U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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