i3-3240T vs i5-2540M

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2540M
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.49
+15.5%
Core i3-3240T
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.29

Core i5-2540M outperforms Core i3-3240T by a moderate 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21482274
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5no data
Power efficiency4.033.49
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date1 February 2011 (13 years ago)3 September 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$266no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T 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 speed2.6 GHz2.9 GHz
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz3 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate4 × 5 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier26no data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size149 mm294 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data65 °C
Number of transistors624 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1023,PPGA988FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI+-
FMA+-
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
FDI++
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data-
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21.335 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 3000Intel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.3 GHz1.05 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported23
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
SDVO+no data
CRT+no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T.

PCIe version2.02.0
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.

i5-2540M 1.49
+15.5%
i3-3240T 1.29

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.

i5-2540M 2365
+15.6%
i3-3240T 2046

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.

i5-2540M 491
+6.3%
i3-3240T 462

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.

i5-2540M 981
i3-3240T 990
+0.9%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.49 1.29
Integrated graphics card 0.66 0.69
Recency 1 February 2011 3 September 2012
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm

i5-2540M has a 15.5% higher aggregate performance score.

i3-3240T, on the other hand, has 4.5% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 1 year, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i5-2540M is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3240T in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-2540M is a notebook processor while Core i3-3240T is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2540M and Core i3-3240T, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-2540M
Core i5-2540M
Intel Core i3-3240T
Core i3-3240T

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Community ratings

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


4.1 539 votes

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Questions & comments

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