Intel Core i5-480M

The Intel Core i5-480M is a mid-range dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.66 to 2.9 GHz. Each core is based on the Nehalem (Westmere) micro-architecture. Hyperthreading enables the Dual Core CPU to handle 4 threads at once (for a better usage of the pipeline). Compared to the Core i5-540M, the 480M does most likely not support AES, VT-d and Trusted Execution functions and features a slower Turbo Boost (2.9 versus 3.06 GHz). However, the base clock rate is slightly higher.

A feature of the new Core i5-480M is the integrated graphics card called GMA HD and memory controller. Both are on a separate die that is still manufactured in 45nm whereas the CPU die is already manufactured in the new 32nm process.

The performance of the Core i5-480M is on average faster than a 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo T9800 and in some benchmarks even faster than the fastest Core 2 Duo T9900 (e.g. 3DMark 06 CPU Score). Therefore, the Core i5-480M is a high end dual core cpu which should handle all daily work and gaming tasks. Only the quad core i7 CPUs can be noticeably faster at tasks that require four or more threads (e.g. rendering).

The integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD (GMA HD) graphics card is known to be clocked up to 500-766 MHz and should be clearly faster than the old GMA 4500MHD. A GeForce 9400M (ION) should still be a faster (especially as Nvidia and ATI cards have a better driver support than Intel up to now). According to rumors, the GMA core will also use the Turbo Mode regulate the clock speed.

The power consumption of 35 Watt TDP (max.) counts for the whole package and therefore it is clearly better than the 35 Watt TDP of the Core 2 Duo T-series (CPU alone). Due to the Turbo Boost, the Core i5 is likely to use the whole TDP of 35 Watt under load and therefore can use more power than a similar specified Core 2 Duo. In Idle mode, the i5 uses clearly less power than the Core 2 Duo CPUs.

Series	Intel Core i5
Codename	Arrandale
Clock Rate	2666 - 2933 MHz
Front Side Bus	2400 MHz
Level 1 Cache	128 KB
Level 2 Cache	512 KB
Level 3 Cache	3072 KB
Number of Cores / Threads	2 / 4
Max. Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power)	35 Watt
Transistor Count	382+177 Million
Manufacturing Technology	32 nm
Die Size	81+114 mm2
Max. Temperature	105 °C
Socket	BGA1288, PGA988
Features	integrated DDR3 memory controller, GMA HD Graphics (500-766MHz), MMX, SSE (1,2,3,3S, 4.1, 3.2), EM64T, VT-x
64 Bit	64 Bit support
Hardware Virtualization	VT-x
Announcement Date	12/04/2010
Product Link (external)	Intel Core i5 480M

CPU Benchmarks

3DMark 06 - CPU:

100%

min: 2579 avg: 2879.9 (32.4%) max: 3093 Points

Model	Memory	GPU			Result
Iconia	4096 MB	Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics			2579
U36JC-RX081V	4096 MB	GeForce 310M	606 / 667MHz	1024MB Intel HD + Nvidia 310M Nvidia nvlddmkm 8.17.12.5964 / Win7 64, Intel igdumd64 8.15.10.2141 / Win7 64	2622
Aspire 3820TG-484G75Nks	4096 MB	Radeon HD 6550M	600 / 800MHz	1024MB DDR3 8.741.1.6000	2875
Aspire 3820TG-482G50nks	2048 MB	Radeon HD 6550M	600 / 800MHz	1024MB DDR3, dodatkowo Intel HD Graphics 8.741.1.6000	2954
Acer Aspire TimelineX 5820TG-484G64Miks	4096 MB	Radeon HD 6550M	600 / 800MHz	1024MB DDR3 8.741.1.6000	2981
Vaio VPC-F13L8E/H	4096 MB	GeForce GT 425M	560 / 800MHz	1024MB ForceWare 259.03	3055
Vaio VPC-EB4X1E/BQ	4096 MB	Mobility Radeon HD 5650	450 / 790MHz	1024MB Geringe Taktung gemäß AMD Spezifikation 8.672.1.300	3093

Cinebench R10 in comparison
Intel Atom Z670 (min)	691
...
Intel Core i7 2637M	7068.7
Intel Core i3 2370M	7072.3
Intel Core i5 460M	7073.1
Intel Core i5 480M	7187.4
Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100	7299
Intel Core i3 3110M	7310.6
Intel Core i5 3427U	7375
...
Intel Core i7 (Desktop) 3960X (max)	27189.5

»	Review HP EliteBook 2760p-LG682EA Convertible
»	Review Toshiba Tecra R940-1FL Notebook
»	Review Toshiba Satellite L855-15U Notebook
»	Review Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 Smartphone
»	Review Acer Iconia Tab A211 Tablet

Intel Core i5-480M

CPU Benchmarks

Reviews for the Intel Core i5 480M processor

Other CPUs of the series Intel Core i5

Surrounding CPUs