Intel Core i5-2430M vs Intel Core i5-2537M

Intel Core i5-2430M

The Intel Core i5-2430M is a fast dual core processor at the time of introduction in Q3 2011. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and offers Hyperthreading to handle 4 threads at once (for a better usage of the pipeline). Compared to the faster Core i7, the i5 offers a smaller last level cache of 3MB. The base clock speed is 2.4 GHz but due to Turbo Boost it can reach 2.7 GHz (2 cores active) and 3 GHz (1 core active). Compared to the 2510M, the 2430M does not support VT-d and Trusted Execution functions.

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements is the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. 

The i5-2430M offers an integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 3000) which is clearly faster then the older Intel HD Graphics in the Arrandale CPUs. As the new GPU is included in the CPU, it is also manufactured in 32nm and shares the fast level 3 cache with the CPU cores (using a new ring bus). In the 2430M it is clocked from  650-1200MHz (with Turbo Boost). The faster Sandy Bridge CPUs are clocked up to 1300 MHz (like the i5-2520M or the otherwise nearly similar i5-2435M).

Furthermore, an improved dual-channel DDR3 memory controller is included on the CPU die that is used by the CPU and GPU part.

Due to the improved architecture and the new Turbo Boost 2.0, the average performance of the Core i5-2430M is higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i5. In our benchmarks, the 2430M was able to beat the fast Intel Core i5-560M with 2.7-3.2GHz and is therefore suited for even demanding tasks.

The 35W TDP rating includes the integrated GPU and memory controller.

Intel Core i5-2537M

The Intel Core i5-2537M is power efficient ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processor for thin and light laptops. The base frequency of 1.4 GHz is relatively low, but due to Turbo Boost 2.0, the CPU may clock up to 2.3 GHz (one core loaded, 2GHz with both cores loaded). However, this is depending on the cooling and power consumption of the laptop. Due to HyperThreading, the i5-2537M is able to handle 4 threads in parallel.

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements is the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. 

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 clocked at 350 or 900MHz (Turbo Boost). Due to the slower clock rate, compared to other HD Graphics 3000 (usually 650-1100/1300MHz in non LV processors), the performance should be noticeable lower.

The performance of the CPU should be a bit higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i5. Therefore, the performance should be similar to a Core i7-680UM / Core i3-330M.

The TDP of 17W (includes the integrated GPU and memory controller) allows the use of the 2537M CPU in small subnotebooks.