Intel Core i7-3520M vs Intel Core i7-3540M Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a straightforward hierarchy between these two Ivy Bridge mobile processors. The Intel Core i7-3540M wins six of the seven recorded head-to-head comparisons, making it the stronger choice for nearly every workload captured in the database. The Intel Core i7-3520M claims only a single victory, and that win is narrow. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the i7-3540M records an average of 867 points, while the i7-3520M sits at 843 points, a difference of 24 points in favor of the newer part.

The i7-3540M leads in all multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 254 versus 244, a 3.9% advantage. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 1060 against 1018, a 4% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore follows the same pattern with 2525 versus 2426, again a 3.9% gap. Geekbench multicore is closer, with the i7-3540M at 1160 and the i7-3520M at 1156, a mere 0.3% difference. Single-threaded performance also favors the i7-3540M in the Cinebench suite: R20 single-core shows 149 versus 143 (4% ahead), and R23 single-core shows 356 versus 342 (3.9% ahead). The lone exception is Geekbench single-core, where the i7-3520M scores 570 against 565, a 0.9% edge.

Who should pick which? The data supports the i7-3540M for users who want the best possible performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks, as it consistently outperforms its sibling across the majority of tests. The i7-3520M is the choice only if the specific workload aligns with its single Geekbench single-core win, which is a marginal advantage. Both processors sit at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy the same performance tier overall. The i7-3540M is simply the faster implementation of that tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M records an average benchmark score of 867, while the Intel Core i7-3520M records 843, a difference of 24 points in favor of the i7-3540M.

Q: How much faster is the i7-3540M in multi-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3540M scores 254 versus 244 (3.9% faster). In R20 multicore, it scores 1060 versus 1018 (4% faster). In R23 multicore, it scores 2525 versus 2426 (3.9% faster).

Q: Is there any test where the i7-3520M wins?

A: Yes, in Geekbench single-core the i7-3520M scores 570 against the i7-3540M's 565, a 0.9% advantage. This is the only head-to-head benchmark win for the i7-3520M.

Q: Do both processors have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes, both feature 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Their architecture, codename, process node, and die size are also identical.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The i7-3520M has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i7-3540M has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i7-3540M is 0.10 GHz higher in both metrics.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The i7-3520M's average score of 843 places it near the AMD FX-8800P (843, 0.1% delta), Intel Core i7-920 (840, 0.3%), Intel Xeon X5470 (839, 0.4%), and Intel Core i5-3380M (838, 0.6%). The i7-3540M's average score of 867 places it near the Intel Xeon X3460 (866, 0.1%), Intel Core i5-3470T (863, 0.4%), Intel Atom C5315 (871, -0.5%), and AMD Athlon PRO 3045B (872, -0.6%).

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture. They are built on Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture, with the codename Ivy Bridge, and are fabricated on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The die size is identical at 118 mm². Both are dual-core parts with four threads, and both integrate Intel HD 4000 graphics. The market segment is mobile for both, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The architectural differences are minimal, but they exist in the details. The most significant difference lies in the socket. The i7-3520M uses Intel BGA 1023, while the i7-3540M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). This means the two processors are not physically interchangeable in the same motherboard. The i7-3540M also lists DDR3 as its memory support in the database, while the i7-3520M does not have a memory support field recorded. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC memory.

The generation field for both is listed as "Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)", confirming they belong to the same generation. The part numbers differ, with the i7-3520M carrying the SR0MU designation and the i7-3540M carrying SR0X6. The release dates differ as well: the i7-3520M was released on 2012-06-02, while the i7-3540M was released on 2013-01-07. This seven-month gap explains why the i7-3540M has slightly higher clock speeds, as it is a later revision of the same design.

The cache hierarchy is a point of complete parity. Both have 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither has a vCache3D field recorded. The transistor count is not recorded for either processor. The PCIe configuration is also not recorded for either. The integrated graphics are identical, with both using Intel HD 4000.

Specification Differences

The recorded specification differences between the two processors are limited to a few key fields. The base clock differs: the i7-3520M runs at 2.90 GHz, while the i7-3540M runs at 3.00 GHz. The boost clock differs as well: the i7-3520M boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the i7-3540M boosts to 3.70 GHz. These 0.10 GHz increases in both clock speeds are the primary driver of the performance gap observed in the benchmarks.

The socket is another differentiating factor. The i7-3520M uses Intel BGA 1023, which is a ball-grid array package. The i7-3540M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), which is a socketed package. This has implications for upgradeability and motherboard compatibility. The memory support field is recorded as DDR3 for the i7-3540M, but it is not recorded for the i7-3520M. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

The release dates differ, with the i7-3520M launching on 2012-06-02 and the i7-3540M launching on 2013-01-07. The part numbers differ as well: SR0MU for the i7-3520M and SR0X6 for the i7-3540M. All other specification fields are identical: 2 cores, 4 threads, 35 W TDP, 22 nm process node, 118 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 4 MB shared L3, Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, mobile market segment, and no unlocked multiplier. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern. The i7-3540M wins in six of seven comparisons, and the margins are remarkably uniform in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3540M scores 254 against the i7-3520M's 244, a delta of -3.9%. This means the i7-3520M trails by 3.9%. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the scores are 1060 versus 1018, a 4% gap. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the scores are 2525 versus 2426, again a 3.9% gap.

The single-core Cinebench results are similar. Cinebench R20 single-core shows the i7-3540M at 149 and the i7-3520M at 143, a 4% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 356 versus 342, a 3.9% difference. These consistent 3.9% to 4% margins across the Cinebench family suggest that the higher clock speeds of the i7-3540M translate directly into proportional performance gains in these rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-3540M wins with 1160 against 1156, but the margin is only 0.3%. This is a much smaller gap than the Cinebench tests show. In Geekbench single-core, the i7-3520M wins with 570 against 565, a 0.9% advantage. This is the only test where the i7-3520M comes out ahead, and it is importantly the margin is less than 1%.

The overall benchmark record shows 6 wins for the i7-3540M and 1 win for the i7-3520M. The average benchmark scores reflect this dominance: 867 for the i7-3540M versus 843 for the i7-3520M. The percentile ranking is the same for both at 23, meaning they sit at the same position relative to all CPUs in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3540M is the clear winner in rendering and compute-heavy workloads. The Cinebench suite, which tests multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering performance, shows the i7-3540M ahead by 3.9% to 4% across all four Cinebench tests. This makes it the better choice for users running 3D rendering, video encoding, or any application that scales with CPU clock speed and core efficiency. The 0.10 GHz higher base clock and 0.10 GHz higher boost clock appear to be the deciding factors.

The i7-3540M also wins in Geekbench multicore, though by a narrower margin of 0.3%. This suggests that in some multi-threaded workloads, the performance difference is almost negligible. Still, the i7-3540M holds the advantage in this test, so it remains the safer pick for general multi-threaded productivity.

The i7-3520M has exactly one area of superiority: Geekbench single-core. Its score of 570 beats the i7-3540M's 565 by 0.9%. This is a small but real advantage. Users running single-threaded applications that are specifically sensitive to the Geekbench workload pattern might see a slight benefit from the i7-3520M. However, given that the i7-3540M wins in Cinebench R20 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core by 4% and 3.9% respectively, the i7-3520M's single Geekbench win appears to be workload-specific rather than a general single-threaded superiority.

For most users, the recorded data points to the i7-3540M. It wins the majority of benchmarks, has a higher average score, and offers the same architecture, cache, and feature set. The only scenario where the i7-3520M is preferable is when the application in question mirrors the Geekbench single-core test pattern, and even then the margin is under 1%. The socket difference is a practical consideration: the i7-3520M uses Intel BGA 1023, while the i7-3540M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), so the motherboard determines which processor can be installed. But from a pure performance standpoint, the i7-3540M is the stronger processor in this comparison.