Processor N97 vs i3-540
Aggregate performance score
Processor N97 outperforms Core i3-540 by a whopping 256% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i3-540 and Processor N97 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 2480 | 1542 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.11 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Power efficiency | 1.26 | 27.24 |
| Architecture codename | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Alder Lake-N (2023) |
| Release date | 7 January 2010 (14 years ago) | 3 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $45 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i3-540 and Processor N97 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 | 2 (Dual-core) | 4 (Quad-Core) |
| Threads | 4 | 4 |
| Base clock speed | 3.06 GHz | 2 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 0.07 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Bus rate | 2.5 GT/s | no data |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |
| L3 cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 10 nm |
| Die size | 81 mm2 | no data |
| Maximum core temperature | 73 °C | 105 °C |
| Number of transistors | 382 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on Core i3-540 and Processor N97 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 | 1 | 1 |
| Socket | FCLGA1156 | Intel BGA 1264 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 73 Watt | 12 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-540 and Processor N97. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.2 | no data |
| AES-NI | - | + |
| AVX | - | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | - | no data |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | no data |
| Idle States | + | no data |
| Demand Based Switching | - | no data |
| PAE | 36 Bit | no data |
| FDI | + | no data |
Security technologies
Core i3-540 and Processor N97 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | - | + |
| EDB | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-540 and Processor N97 are enumerated here.
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | + | + |
| EPT | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-540 and Processor N97. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel |
| Maximum memory size | 16.38 GB | no data |
| Max memory channels | 2 | no data |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 21 GB/s | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Intel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors | Intel UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) |
| Clear Video HD | + | no data |
Graphics interfaces
Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-540 and Processor N97 integrated GPUs.
| Number of displays supported | 2 | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-540 and Processor N97.
| PCIe version | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 16 | 9 |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 0.99 | 3.52 |
| Recency | 7 January 2010 | 3 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 2 | 4 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 10 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 73 Watt | 12 Watt |
Processor N97 has a 255.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 12 years, 100% more physical cores, a 220% more advanced lithography process, and 508.3% lower power consumption.
The Processor N97 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-540 in performance tests.
Note that Core i3-540 is a desktop processor while Processor N97 is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-540 and Processor N97, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
Similar processor comparisons
We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.
