Intel Core i5-7500 vs Intel Core i3-540

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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 i5-7500 Name Intel Core i3-540
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i3
7 Generation 1
Intel Core i 7000 Group Intel Core i3 500
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
 
 

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
No Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
3.4 GHz Frequency 3.06 GHz
4 Threads 4
4 CPU Cores 2
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
No Hyperthreading Yes
 
 

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.
14 nm Technology 32 nm
12 Direct X 10.1
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) 0.73 GHz
0.35 GHz GPU frequency 0.5 GHz
Q2/2016 Release date Q1/2010
64.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
24 Execution units 12
192 Shaders 24
9.5 Generation 5
-- Max. displays --
Intel HD Graphics 630 GPU name Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
 
 

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 h264 Decode
Decode VC-1 No
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode VP9 No
Decode / Encode JPEG No
No AV1 No
Decode / Encode VP8 No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode
 
 

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.
DDR4-2400 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
64.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
38.4 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 GB/s
pci PCIe pci
No ECC Yes
Yes AES-NI No
 
 

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.
14 nm Technology 32 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
LGA 1151 Socket LGA 1156
-- Part Number --
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Kaby Lake S Architecture Clarkdale
220 $ Release price 117 $
0 bytes L2-Cache 512.0 KB
Q1/2017 Release date Q1/2010
6.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
 
 

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