Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Intel Core i7-3540M

Intel Core 2 Duo T9900

► remove from comparison Intel T9900

The Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 is the theoretical successor of the Core 2 Extreme X9100 (which also clocks at 3.06 GHz) that uses less power due to the modern stepping and the Enhanced Halt State (C1E). The only advantage of the X9100 is the free multiplikator (which allows easy overclocking of the CPU).

The T9900 is a fast dual core CPU for laptops which features 6 MB of shared level 2 cache and a TDP of 35 Watt. Due to the high clock speed, modern games (in 2009) should not be limited by the CPU speed. For single threaded applications it is one of the fastest CPUs for laptops (only beaten by the new Core i7 with enabled Turbo mode). 

The T9900 uses a Penryn (Montevina Update) core that features 2 integer units, 1 floating point unit, 1 load unit, and 1 store unit in a 14-stages long pipeline. Due to the Wide Dynamic Execution Technology, the core is able to simultaneously execute up to four instructions.

The integrated Enhanced Speedstep is able to downclock the core dynamically as low as 800 MHz to save power (in idle mode).

The Core 2 Duo T9900 can be used in a Socket P socket with 479 pins: Socket P / Micro Flip-Chip Pin Grid Array (Micro-FCPGA) requires 479-pin surface mount Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket (mPGA479M socket) or Micro Flip-Chip Ball Grid Array (Micro-FCBGA) for surface mount (479-ball).

Intel Core i7-3540M

► remove from comparison Intel 3540M

The Intel Core i7-3540M is the fastest dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture at the time of introduction in Q1 2013. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 3.0 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.7 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessor Core i7-2640M, it offers a 4 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i7-3540M is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is about 5 - 10 % above the old i7-2640M.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1300 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the fastest variants.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i7-3540M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i7.

ModelIntel Core 2 Duo T9900Intel Core i7-3540M
SeriesIntel Core 2 DuoIntel Core i7
CodenamePenrynIvy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Ivy Bridge
Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 « 3.06 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T9800 compare2.92 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P9700 compare2.8 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 compare2.8 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 compare2.66 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 compare2.66 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 compare2.6 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 compare2.53 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 compare2.53 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 compare2.53 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800 compare2.66 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 compare2.5 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 compare2.53 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SP9400 compare2.4 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 compare2.4 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 compare2.4 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300 compare2.26 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 compare2.26 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P7570 compare2.26 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P7550 compare2.26 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T6770 compare2.3 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600 compare2.13 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 compare2.13 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 compare2.2 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 compare2.2 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 compare2.1 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P7370 compare2 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 compare2 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T6570 compare2.1 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 compare2.1 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SL9400 compare1.86 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SL9380 compare1.8 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 compare2 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 compare1.6 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600 compare1.6 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 compare1.4 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 compare1.3 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 compare1.2 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Core i7-3940XM compare3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3920XM compare2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3840QM compare2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3820QM compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3740QM compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3720QM compare2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3635QM compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3630QM compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3615QM compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3610QM compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3632QM compare2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3612QM compare2.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3540M « 3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3520M compare2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3687U compare2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3667U compare2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3537U compare2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3517U compare1.9 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-3689Y compare1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock3060 MHz3000 - 3700 MHz
FSB1066
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB
L2 Cache6 MB512 KB
Cores / Threads2 / 22 / 4
TDP35 Watt35 Watt
Transistors410 Million
Technology45 nm, 1.05-1.2125 V22 nm
Die Size107 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C
SocketSocket P (BGA479, PGA478)BGA1023, PGA988
FeaturesSSE4.1, Virtualization Technology, Execute Disable Bit, Enhanced Speedstep, Ehnaced Halt State (C1E), 64 Bit, Trusted Execution TechnologyHD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz), DDR3-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
Architecturex86x86
$530 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com
L3 Cache4 MB
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 4000 (650 - 1300 MHz)

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 3540M +
min: 3.41     avg: 3.5     median: 3.5 (4%)     max: 3.49 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 3540M +
min: 1.52     avg: 1.5     median: 1.5 (38%)     max: 1.54 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 3353     avg: 3538     median: 3537.5 (21%)     max: 3722 Points
min: 5018     avg: 5030     median: 5029.5 (30%)     max: 5041 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 6318     avg: 6886     median: 7094 (5%)     max: 7247 Points
min: 10628     avg: 10811     median: 10810.5 (8%)     max: 10993 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 3540M +
min: 13307     avg: 13435     median: 13434.5 (9%)     max: 13562 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 3540M +
min: 6326     avg: 6414     median: 6414 (8%)     max: 6502 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
799 s (9%)
471.2 s (6%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
25.1 s (5%)
14.9 s (3%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 3540M +
2940 Points (5%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 3540M +
19.9 fps (7%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 3540M +
105.3 fps (24%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 3540M +
0.2 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 3540M +
0.3 GB/s (5%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 3540M +
1.7 GB/s (4%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
2787 Points (6%)
min: 4267     avg: 4320     median: 4319.5 (9%)     max: 4372 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
15.3 s (3%)
10.4 s (2%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
37.1 s (2%)
23.9 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
972 s (4%)
557 s (2%)
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 T9900 +
25083 MIPS (12%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 T9900 +
20460 MFLOPS (16%)
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 T9900 +
8922 Points (18%)
Windows Vista Experience Index - Windows Vista Leistungsindex - Prozessor
100%
1 T9900 +
5.7 Points (81%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
1 3540M +
7.3 Points (94%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
6045 Points (5%)
11749 Points (10%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 3540M +
min: 4391     avg: 4627     median: 4627 (13%)     max: 4863 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 3540M +
min: 40631     avg: 42023     median: 42022.5 (34%)     max: 43414 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 3540M +
min: 3424     avg: 3483     median: 3482.5 (9%)     max: 3541 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 3540M +
min: 4929     avg: 4966     median: 4966 (9%)     max: 5003 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 → 100% n=9

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-3540M → 128% n=9

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

Add one or more devices and compare

In the following list you can select (and also search for) devices that should be added to the comparison. You can select more than one device.

restrict list:

show all (including archived), 2024, 2023
v1.27
log 16. 06:38:04

#0 checking url part for id 475 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 3628 +0s ... 0s

#2 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#3 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Sun, 16 Jun 2024 05:37:17 +0200 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#4 composed specs +0.036s ... 0.037s

#5 did output specs +0s ... 0.037s

#6 getting avg benchmarks for device 475 +0.004s ... 0.041s

#7 got single benchmarks 475 +0.014s ... 0.054s

#8 getting avg benchmarks for device 3628 +0.004s ... 0.058s

#9 got single benchmarks 3628 +0.017s ... 0.075s

#10 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.075s

#11 min, max, avg, median took s +0.157s ... 0.232s

#12 return log +0.073s ... 0.304s

Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)