i5-11600 vs i3-540

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-540
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.00
Core i5-11600
2021
6 cores / 12 threads, 65 Watt
11.79
+1079%

Core i5-11600 outperforms Core i3-540 by a whopping 1079% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2479685
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.11no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.2516.54
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)Rocket Lake (2021)
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)16 March 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$45no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 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)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads412
Base clock speed3.06 GHz2.8 GHz
Boost clock speed0.07 GHz4.8 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/s8 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache4 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size81 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature73 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors382 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 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
SocketFCLGA1156FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)73 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
FDI+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
SGXno data-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size16.38 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s50 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® ProcessorsIntel UHD Graphics 750
Max video memoryno data64 GB
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequencyno data1.3 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported23

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data5120 x 3200 @60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanes1620

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 1.00
i5-11600 11.79
+1079%

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.

i3-540 1538
i5-11600 18041
+1073%

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.

i3-540 410
i5-11600 2114
+416%

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.

i3-540 837
i5-11600 7966
+852%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.00 11.79
Recency 7 January 2010 16 March 2021
Physical cores 2 6
Threads 4 12
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 73 Watt 65 Watt

i5-11600 has a 1079% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 12.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-11600 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-540 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-540 and Core i5-11600, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-540
Core i3-540
Intel Core i5-11600
Core i5-11600

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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