AMD FX-8800P vs Intel Core i7-3540M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the Intel Core i7-3540M dominates in six of the seven recorded tests, while the AMD FX-8800P claims a single, decisive victory. The most striking result is in Geekbench multicore, where the AMD FX-8800P scores 1234 against 1160 for the Intel chip, a 6.4% advantage. This is the only test where the AMD part finishes ahead, and it does so by a margin larger than any single Core i7-3540M win.

Every Cinebench iteration favors Intel. The multicore results are consistent: Cinebench R15 shows 254 for Intel versus 242 for AMD, a 4.7% gap. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the same 4.7% delta, with 1060 against 1010. Cinebench R23 multicore narrows slightly in percentage terms but still lands at 4.7%, with scores of 2525 and 2407. The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R20 single-core gives Intel a 149 to 142 win (4.7%), and R23 single-core gives Intel 356 versus 339, a 4.8% edge.

Geekbench single-core also goes to Intel, with 565 versus 524, the largest percentage gap in the entire head-to-head at 7.3%. This is the only test where the Intel part exceeds a 5% lead. The AMD FX-8800P's Geekbench multicore win is notable because it is the only benchmark where the four-core AMD design outruns the two-core Intel part, and it suggests the AMD chip's additional physical cores provide a measurable advantage in that specific workload.

The aggregate picture is unambiguous. Across the seven recorded benchmarks, Intel wins six, AMD wins one. The average benchmark score in the database places the Core i7-3540M at 867, while the FX-8800P sits at 843. The Intel part's percentile ranking is 23, versus 22 for the AMD chip. The delta between the two in average score is roughly 2.8%, a modest overall margin that masks the divergent workload behavior.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M wins six of the seven recorded benchmarks. The AMD FX-8800P wins one, the Geekbench multicore test.

Q: What is the largest single-benchmark margin between the two processors?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i7-3540M leads by 7.3% with a score of 565 versus 524 for the AMD FX-8800P.

Q: Does the AMD FX-8800P win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the AMD FX-8800P wins the Geekbench multicore test with a score of 1234, which is 6.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3540M's 1160.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M scores 2525, while the AMD FX-8800P scores 2407, giving Intel a 4.7% advantage.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M has an average benchmark score of 867, and the AMD FX-8800P has an average of 843.

Q: Which processor has the higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M ranks in the 23rd percentile, while the AMD FX-8800P ranks in the 22nd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two mobile processors is substantial. The AMD FX-8800P uses the Excavator architecture, part of the Carrizo codename family, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 3,100 million transistors on a die size of 250 mm². The Intel Core i7-3540M uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 118 mm². Intel's part does not have transistor count recorded in the database, but the die size difference is stark: the AMD chip is more than twice the physical area.

Core counts differ fundamentally. The AMD FX-8800P has four cores and four threads, while the Intel Core i7-3540M has two cores and four threads. This means the AMD part relies on native quad-core execution, while Intel uses Hyper-Threading to reach four threads from two physical cores. The cache layouts reflect this difference. AMD provides 320 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of L2 per module, with no L3 cache recorded. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared shared L3 cache.

Integrated graphics also diverge. The AMD FX-8800P carries a Radeon R7 8CU graphics unit, while the Core i7-3540M carries Intel HD 4000 graphics. Both are integrated into the mobile package, and neither processor supports ECC memory. Memory support matches in capability, with both use DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus. The AMD part records a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while no memory bandwidth is recorded for the Intel part. PCI Express support is recorded only for the AMD side, with Gen 3 and 8 lanes (CPU only). Socket compatibility is entirely different, with AMD using Socket FP4 and Intel using Socket G2 (988B).

Specification Differences

Clock speeds clearly favor Intel. The Core i7-3540M has a base clock of 3.00 GHz base clock and a 3.70 GHz boost clock, while the FX-8800P has a base clock of 2. These are 2.10 GHz base clock and 3.40 GHz boost respectively, a 3.00 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost. The Intel part has a 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost clock, compared to the AMD chip's 2.10 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. This higher base clock likely contributes to Intel's single-core benchmark wins.

The power envelope also tips toward AMD. The FX-8800P has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core i7-3540M has a TDP of 35 watts. This makes the AMD part a 15-watt design, while Intel is at 35 watts. The AMD processor's lower TDP is notable given its larger die area and four physical cores.

Release dates differ by roughly two years of record. The AMD FX-8800P has a release date of 2015-06-01, while the Intel Core i7-3540M has a release date of 2013-01-07. The AMD part is listed as end-of-life in production status, while the Intel part has no production status recorded. Both processors have no multiplier unlock capability, and both are marked as mobile market segment parts. The Intel chip is part of the Core i7 (Ivy Bridge generation) line, while the AMD chip is part of the FX (Carrizo) line. The AMD part has a part number of FM880PAAY43KAFM880PAAY43KAD, and the Intel part has a part number of SR0X6.

The transistor count and memory bandwidth are both recorded for the AMD part, with 3,100 million transistors and 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel part does not have these fields recorded in the database. The L3 cache is not present in the AMD part, which has no L3 cache, while the Intel part has a 4 MB shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD FX-8800P wins in scenarios that favor its Geekbench multicore result. The 6.4% lead in that test positions AMD ahead in workloads that stress multi-threaded Geekbench tasks. The 1234 score suggests that the four physical cores provide a real advantage in workloads that scale across cores, and the database positions the FX-8800P within 0.3% of the Intel Core i7-3540M in most tests despite the lower base clock. The AMD chip's performance in Cinebench tests keeps it within a narrow 4.7% range of Intel, even though it trails in six of seven benchmarks.

The Intel Core i7-3540M wins everywhere outside of Geekbench multicore. The 4.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, and R23 multicore, plus the 4.8% lead in R23 single-core, and the 7.3% lead in Geekbench single-core, position Intel as the stronger performer in Cinebench-based workloads and in single-core Geekbench tests. The 3.40 GHz boost clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock likely drive the single-core wins, where the AMD chip's 3.40 GHz boost and 2.10 GHz base clock cannot keep pace. The Intel part's 23rd percentile ranking and average score of 867 round out a consistent profile across the recorded benchmarks.

The Verdict

The data does not support a close call. The Intel Core i7-3540M is the stronger processor for the majority of users. Six wins across six of seven benchmarks, with an average benchmark score of 867, and a 4.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore, all point to Intel for anyone prioritizing Cinebench workloads. The Core i7-3540M also leads in single-core performance, where the 7.3% Geekbench single-core win matters for applications that favor single-threaded execution.

The AMD FX-8800P is the pick for scenarios that demand the Geekbench multicore advantage. The 6.4% win in that test, with a score of 1234, and a lower 15-watt TDP, makes it the choice for workloads that favor Geekbench multicore scaling. The FX-8800P also has a lower TDP, at 15 watts, which is a 15-watt TDP. Users running Geekbench multicore workloads should consider the FX-8800P, as the database shows a 6.4% win over Intel. The 2.8% average score gap between the two, with the FX-8800P at 843 average score, places the AMD part within striking distance of Intel in average score. The FX-8800P wins one benchmark, and the Core i7-3540M wins six, and the verdict is Intel for most, AMD for Geekbench multicore tasks.