The Core i7-6900K is a clear winner – it's at least 2x faster gaming CPU than the Core i3-540 and it's also a much better value for money, as it's only $26.05 more expensive!
Advantages of the Core i7-6900K
- At least 2x faster CPU for gaming
- A much better value for money for gaming
- Can execute more multi-threaded tasks simultaneously – 16 vs 4 threads
Advantages of the Core i3-540
- Up to 21% cheaper – $98.95 vs $125.00
- Consumes up to 48% less energy – 73 vs 140 Watts
- Can run games without a dedicated GPU as it has integrated graphics
Core i7-6900K vs Core i3-540 for Gaming
The CPU's performance in selected game and settings
Core i7-6900K
May 31st, 2016
Average FPS
183
100%
Min 1% FPS
122
100%
Price, $
$125
79%
Value, $/FPS
$0.68/FPS
87%
Core i3-540
Jan 7th, 2010
Average FPS
166
91%
Min 1% FPS
112
92%
Price, $
$98.95
100%
Value, $/FPS
$0.59/FPS
100%
Core i7-6900K vs Core i3-540 in My Games
The FPS you'll get in saved games, click on a game to change it
The FPS you'll get in saved games, click on a game to change it
Ultra
1920x1080
+2
Average FPS
Average FPS
Best Looking
1920x1080
Average FPS
Average FPS
Extreme
1920x1080
+1
Average FPS
Average FPS
Very High
1920x1080
Average FPS
Average FPS
Very High
1920x1080
+2
Average FPS
Average FPS
Add a Game
Select Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks
The Core i7-6900K vs Core i3-540 in synthetic CPU benchmarks
Performance Specifications
The Core i7-6900K vs Core i3-540 in core CPU performance specifications
Core i7-6900K
May 31st, 2016
Cores
8-core
100%
L3 Cache
20 MB
100%
Base Frequency
3.2 GHz
100%
Turbo Frequency
3.7 GHz
100%
Max. DDR4 RAM Speed
2400 MHz
100%
Core i3-540
Jan 7th, 2010
Cores
2-core
25%
L3 Cache
4 MB
20%
Base Frequency
3.07 GHz
96%
Turbo Frequency
GHz
Max. DDR3 RAM Speed
1333 MHz
56%
Specifications
Comparison of all specifications
Core i7-6900K | SpecificationsComparison of all specifications | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
May 31st, 2016 | Release Date | Jan 7th, 2010 |
| $1,089.00 | MSRP | $133.00 |
Desktop | Segment | Desktop |
| Intel Socket 2011-3 | Socket | Intel Socket 1156 |
| Broadwell-E | Codename | Clarkdale |
| 140 W | Power Consumption | 73 W |
| Performance | ||
8 | Cores | 2 |
16 | Threads | 4 |
3.2 GHz | Base Frequency | 3.1 GHz |
| 3.7 GHz | Turbo Frequency | Non-Turbo |
20 MB | L3 Cache | 4 MB |
| Other Features | ||
| DDR4 @ 2400 MHz | RAM | DDR3 @ 1333 MHz |
| No | Integrated Graphics | Intel HD |
Yes | Overclockable | No |
