Intel Core i5-7500 vs Intel Core i3-540

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-7500 or Intel Core i5-7500 – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i5-7500 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2017 and belongs to the 7 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-7500, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket.
The Intel Core i3-540 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-540, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-7500 Name Intel Core i3-540
Intel Core i 7000 Group Intel Core i3 500
7 Generation 1
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-7500 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-7500 is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
The Intel Core i3-540 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-540 is 3.06 GHz
4x Cores 2x
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
3.4 GHz Frequency 3.06 GHz
4 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking No
4 Threads 4
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-7500 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-7500 uses the Intel HD Graphics 630, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i3-540 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-540 uses the Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), which has 24 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) 0.73 GHz
Q2/2016 Release date Q1/2010
24 Execution units 12
12 Direct X 10.1
-- Max. displays --
192 Shaders 24
Intel HD Graphics 630 GPU name Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
0.35 GHz GPU frequency 0.5 GHz
64.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
9.5 Generation 5
14 nm Technology 32 nm
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode VP8 No
Decode / Encode VP9 No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode
Decode / Encode JPEG No
Decode VC-1 No
No AV1 No
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.0 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
Yes AES-NI No
64.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
38.4 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 GB/s
DDR4-2400 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
pci PCIe pci
2 Memory channels 2
No ECC Yes
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 73 W watts.
65 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 73 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-7500 is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-540 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
Q1/2017 Release date Q1/2010
LGA 1151 Socket LGA 1156
0 bytes L2-Cache 512.0 KB
6.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
Kaby Lake S Architecture Clarkdale
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
220 $ Release price 117 $
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
14 nm Technology 32 nm
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-7500
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
3685
3685
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
952
952

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-7500
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
3091
3091
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
1141
1141

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-7500
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
1580
1580
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
685
685

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-7500
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
1260
1260
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
470
470