Intel Core i7-3540M vs Intel Pentium G4560T Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data positions the Intel Pentium G4560T as the stronger overall processor in this pairing. Across all seven recorded head-to-head tests, the Pentium G4560T wins, with the most decisive margin appearing in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 1237 against the Core i7-3540M's 1160, a 6.6% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result also favors the Pentium by 5.1%, with scores of 594 and 565 respectively. In Cinebench workloads, the Pentium leads by smaller but consistent margins, ranging from 0.7% to 0.8% across R15, R20, and R23 variants. The average benchmark score of 887 for the Pentium versus 867 for the Core i7 reinforces this pattern, and the percentile ranking (24th versus 23rd) shows the Pentium sitting marginally higher within the database's full CPU pool.

The Core i7-3540M does have a higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz) and adds a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, which the Pentium lacks entirely. Yet the recorded data shows the Pentium still outpaces it in every measured workload. The Core i7 also carries a larger shared L3 cache (4 MB versus 3 MB) and a smaller process node advantage on paper, but the actual performance results do not translate that into a win. For users choosing between these two, the Pentium G4560T is the clear pick based on measured performance. The Core i7-3540M only makes sense if the platform requirements dictate its older mobile socket, since it offers no performance benefit in the database's results.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Pentium G4560T has an average benchmark score of 887, while the Intel Core i7-3540M scores 867. That puts the Pentium ahead by roughly 2.3% on average.

Q: Does the Core i7-3540M win any head-to-head tests?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Pentium G4560T winning all seven tests, including every Cinebench and Geekbench variant. The Core i7-3540M records zero wins.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The Pentium G4560T scores 594 in Geekbench single-core, against 565 for the Core i7-3540M. That is a 5.1% lead for the Pentium.

Q: What is the difference in Cinebench R23 multicore scores?

A: The Pentium G4560T scores 2544, and the Core i7-3540M scores 2525. The Pentium leads by 0.8%, which is a narrow but consistent margin.

Q: Which CPU has a boost clock?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-3540M has a boost clock, rated at 3.70 GHz. The Intel Pentium G4560T has no boost clock listed, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz versus the Core i7's 3.00 GHz base.

Q: How do these CPUs compare in percentile ranking against all CPUs?

A: The Pentium G4560T sits at the 24th percentile, while the Core i7-3540M sits at the 23rd percentile. Both are near the lower-middle range of the database's CPU performance distribution.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The Intel Pentium G4560T uses the Kaby Lake architecture built on a 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-3540M uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the die size is only recorded for the Core i7-3540M, listed at 118 mm². The Pentium's die size is not recorded in the database.

The memory support differs significantly. The Pentium G4560T supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Core i7-3540M supports DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded. This means the Pentium has a clear platform advantage in terms of newer memory technology and a quantified bandwidth figure.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Pentium G4560T carries Intel HD 610, while the Core i7-3540M carries Intel HD 4000. No benchmark scores are provided for either integrated GPU, so the comparison is limited to model naming. The Pentium also has a PCIe specification listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7 has no PCIe data recorded. The Core i7 does have a recorded die size, but the Pentium's is absent. Both CPUs have two physical cores and four threads, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i7-3540M has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, whereas the Pentium G4560T has no boost capability listed.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ on several specification fields in the database. The base clock is 2.90 GHz for the Pentium G4560T and 3.00 GHz for the Core i7-3540M. The Core i7 adds a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Pentium has none. The socket is a major divergence: the Pentium uses Intel Socket 1151, and the Core i7 uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). The architecture and process node differ as noted, with Kaby Lake on 14 nm for the Pentium and Ivy Bridge on 22 nm for the Core i7.

Cache allocation differs in the L3 tier: the Pentium has 3 MB shared, while the Core i7 has 4 MB shared. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively. Memory support is DDR4 for the Pentium and DDR3 for the Core i7, with memory bandwidth only recorded for the Pentium at 38.4 GB/s. The integrated graphics are HD 610 versus HD 4000. The PCIe specification is only listed for the Pentium (Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU only), with no PCIe data for the Core i7. The market segment differs: Desktop for the Pentium, Mobile for the Core i7. The production status is "Active" for the Pentium, while no status is recorded for the Core i7. The release dates are also different, with the Pentium launching in January 2017 and the Core i7 in January 2013. Neither CPU has a launch MSRP recorded in the database. The part numbers are SR35T for the Pentium and SR0X6 for the Core i7.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results show a clean sweep for the Intel Pentium G4560T. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Pentium scores 256 against the Core i7's 254, a 0.8% lead. The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 1068 versus 1060, again a 0.8% difference. The single-core Cinebench R20 test is closer, with the Pentium at 150 and the Core i7 at 149, a 0.7% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore follows with 2544 versus 2525 (0.8% lead), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 359 versus 356 (0.8% lead).

The Geekbench tests provide the largest gaps. In Geekbench multicore, the Pentium scores 1237 and the Core i7 scores 1160, giving the Pentium a 6.6% advantage. That is the single biggest win in the entire comparison. Geekbench single-core also favors the Pentium, with 594 against 565, a 5.1% lead. These Geekbench results are notable because they show the Pentium pulling ahead by a much larger margin than the Cinebench tests, suggesting the Pentium's advantage grows in certain workload types.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each CPU adds context. The Pentium G4560T's average score of 887 ties exactly with the AMD PRO A8-8650B (0% delta), sits 0.1% above the Intel Core i7-860 (886), and is 0.2% below the Intel Core i3-6100 (888). The Core i7-3540M's average of 867 places it 0.1% above the Intel Xeon X3460 (866), 0.4% above the Intel Core i5-3470T (863), 0.5% below the Intel Atom C5315 (871), and 0.6% below the AMD Athlon PRO 3045B (872). These proximity values show both CPUs landing in a tightly packed performance band, but the Pentium edges out the Core i7 by a consistent, if narrow, margin across all recorded tests. The data does not show any test where the Core i7's higher base clock, boost clock, or larger L3 cache translates into a measured win.