i3-540 vs Phenom X4 9650

VS

Aggregate performance score

Phenom X4 9650
2008
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.09
+12.4%
Core i3-540
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
0.97

Phenom X4 9650 outperforms Core i3-540 by a moderate 12% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking24162496
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.11
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.091.26
Architecture codenameAgena (2007−2008)Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release dateMarch 2008 (16 years ago)7 January 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$45

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Phenom X4 9650 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speedno data3.06 GHz
Boost clock speed2.3 GHz0.07 GHz
Bus rateno data2.5 GT/s
L1 cache128 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache512 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache2 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography65 nm32 nm
Die size285 mm281 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data73 °C
Number of transistors450 million382 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Phenom X4 9650 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 configuration11
SocketAM2+FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data-
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
PAEno data36 Bit
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data-
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data16.38 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors
Clear Video HDno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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.

Phenom X4 9650 1.09
+12.4%
i3-540 0.97

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.

Phenom X4 9650 1733
+12.5%
i3-540 1540

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.

Phenom X4 9650 238
i3-540 408
+71.4%

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.

Phenom X4 9650 758
i3-540 837
+10.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.09 0.97
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 65 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 73 Watt

Phenom X4 9650 has a 12.4% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores.

i3-540, on the other hand, has a 103.1% more advanced lithography process, and 30.1% lower power consumption.

The Phenom X4 9650 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-540 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Phenom X4 9650 and Core i3-540, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Phenom X4 9650
Phenom X4 9650
Intel Core i3-540
Core i3-540

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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