i3-540 vs Apple M3 Pro 12-Core
Aggregate performance score
Apple M3 Pro 12-Core outperforms Core i3-540 by a whopping 1560% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 418 | 2496 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 0.11 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop processor |
| Series | Apple M3 | no data |
| Power efficiency | 56.40 | 1.26 |
| Architecture codename | no data | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| Release date | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) | 7 January 2010 (14 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $45 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540 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 | 12 (Dodeca-Core) | 2 (Dual-core) |
| Threads | 12 | 4 |
| Base clock speed | 2.748 GHz | 3.06 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.06 GHz | 0.07 GHz |
| Bus rate | no data | 2.5 GT/s |
| L1 cache | no data | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | no data | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 cache | no data | 4 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | no data | 81 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 73 °C |
| Number of transistors | 37000 Million | 382 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | no data | - |
Compatibility
Information on M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540 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 | no data | 1 |
| Socket | no data | FCLGA1156 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 27 Watt | 73 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | no data | Intel® SSE4.2 |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | no data | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | no data | - |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | no data | + |
| Idle States | no data | + |
| Demand Based Switching | no data | - |
| PAE | no data | 36 Bit |
| FDI | no data | + |
Security technologies
M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540 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 M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540 are enumerated here.
| VT-x | no data | + |
| EPT | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 16.38 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 21 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card Compare | Apple M3 Pro 18-Core GPU | Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors |
| Clear Video HD | no data | + |
Graphics interfaces
Available interfaces and connections of M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540 integrated GPUs.
| Number of displays supported | no data | 2 |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540.
| PCIe version | no data | 2.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 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 | 16.10 | 0.97 |
| Recency | 30 October 2023 | 7 January 2010 |
| Physical cores | 12 | 2 |
| Threads | 12 | 4 |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 32 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 27 Watt | 73 Watt |
Apple M3 Pro 12-Core has a 1559.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 13 years, 500% more physical cores and 200% more threads, a 966.7% more advanced lithography process, and 170.4% lower power consumption.
The M3 Pro 12-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-540 in performance tests.
Be aware that Apple M3 Pro 12-Core is a notebook processor while Core i3-540 is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Pro 12-Core and Core i3-540, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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