Turion 64 MK-38 vs i3-540

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Core i3-530 Core i3-540 Core i3-550 Core i3-560 Core i5-650 Core i5-655K Core i5-660 Core i5-661 Core i5-670 Core i5-680 Pentium G6950 Pentium G6960
VS
Turion 64 MK-36 Turion 64 MK-38 Turion 64 ML-30 Turion 64 ML-32 Turion 64 ML-34 Turion 64 ML-37 Turion 64 ML-40 Turion 64 ML-44 Turion 64 MT-28 Turion 64 MT-30 Turion 64 MT-34 Turion 64 MT-37

Contents

i3-540 i3-540
Turion 64 MK-38 Turion 64 MK-38

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-540 and Turion 64 MK-38 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2478not rated
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.11no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataTurion 64
Power efficiency1.25no data
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)Richmond
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)no data (2024 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$45no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-540 and Turion 64 MK-38 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 GHz2.2 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/s800 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)no data
L3 cache4 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography32 nm90 nm
Die size81 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Number of transistors382 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-540 and Turion 64 MK-38 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 configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1156no data
Power consumption (TDP)73 Watt31 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-540 and Turion 64 MK-38. 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 Turion 64 MK-38 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 Turion 64 MK-38 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 Turion 64 MK-38. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
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 Turion 64 MK-38 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-540 and Turion 64 MK-38.

PCIe version2.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no data

Pros & cons summary

Physical cores 2 1
Threads 4 1
Chip lithography 32 nm 90 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 73 Watt 31 Watt

i3-540 has 100% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 181.3% more advanced lithography process.

Turion 64 MK-38, on the other hand, has 135.5% lower power consumption.

We couldn't decide between Core i3-540 and Turion 64 MK-38. We've got no test results to judge.

Note that Core i3-540 is a desktop processor while Turion 64 MK-38 is a notebook one.

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-540 and Turion 64 MK-38, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

Intel Core i3-540
Core i3-540
AMD Turion 64 MK-38
Turion 64 MK-38
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Community ratings

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

3.2 662 votes

Rate Core i3-540 on a scale of 1 to 5:

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2.9 12 votes

Rate Turion 64 MK-38 on a scale of 1 to 5:

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-540 or Turion 64 MK-38, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.