Intel Xeon D-1521 vs Intel Core i3-540

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Xeon D-1521 or Intel Xeon D-1521 – 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 Xeon D-1521 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2015 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Xeon D series.
To use the Intel Xeon D-1521, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1667 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 Xeon D-1521 Name Intel Core i3-540
1 Generation 1
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Xeon D Family Intel Core i3
Intel Xeon D-1500 Group Intel Core i3 500
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Xeon D-1521 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Xeon D-1521 is 2.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 2.7 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
2.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
2.4 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
4x Cores 2x
2.4 GHz Frequency 3.06 GHz
No Overclocking No
8 Threads 4
normal Core architecture normal
4 CPU Cores 2
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Xeon D-1521 does not have integrated graphics.
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.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- Execution units 12
GPU name Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
-- Direct X 10.1
-- GPU frequency 0.5 GHz
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- GPU (Turbo) 0.73 GHz
-- Generation 5
-- Release date Q1/2010
-- Max. displays --
-- Technology 32 nm
-- Shaders 24
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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

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

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 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.
pci PCIe pci
2 Memory channels 2
DDR4-2133 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
128.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
Yes ECC Yes
34.1 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 GB/s
Yes AES-NI No
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 45 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.
45 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 73 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Xeon D-1521 is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
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.
6.0 MB L2-Cache 512.0 KB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
-- Part Number --
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
0 bytes L3-Cache 4.0 MB
Broadwell Architecture Clarkdale
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
216 $ Release price 117 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Q4/2015 Release date Q1/2010
BGA 1667 Socket LGA 1156
14 nm Technology 32 nm