Intel Core i5-2520M vs Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 vs Intel Core 2 Duo T9500
Intel Core i5-2520M
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The Intel Core i5-2520M is a fast dual-core processor released in Q1 2011. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and offers Hyperthreading to run 4 threads simultaneously. Compared to the faster Core i7 family, the i5 offers smaller L3 cache at just 3MB. The base clock speed is 2.5 GHz with Turbo Boost potential up to 3 GHz for 2 active cores and 3.2 GHz for 1 active core.
Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most notable improvements are the new 256-Bit AVX instructions, updated Turbo Boost 2.0, and the integration of a GPU onto the same 32 nm die.
The i5-2520M offers an integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 3000) that is clearly faster than the older Intel HD Graphics in Arrandale CPUs. The GPU shares the same fast L3 cache with the CPU cores by utilizing a new ring bus. GPU clock rates in the 2520M core can run from 650 MHz up to 1300 MHz with Turbo Boost.
Furthermore, an improved dual-channel DDR3 memory controller is included and shared between the CPU and GPU.
Due to the new architecture and updated Turbo Boost 2.0, the average performance of the Core i7-2540M is higher than a similarly clocked Arrandale Core i5. Its performance in synthetic benchmarks should be similar to the old Core i5-560M for demanding workloads.
The 35W TDP rating includes the integrated GPU and memory controller as well as the CPU itself.
Intel Core 2 Duo P9600
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The Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 was a upper middle class dual core CPU for laptops, at the time of introduction. It is similar to the Core 2 Duo T9550 except for the lower TDP of 25 versus 35 Watt).
Due to the relatively high clock speed and 6MB Level 2 cache, the P9600 offers enough performance for demanding games (in 2009) and applications. The newer Core i3-330M should deliver a similar performance due to the hyperthreading support.
The P9600 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 to save power (in idle mode).
Intel Core 2 Duo T9500
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The Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 was a upper middle class dual core CPU for laptops at the time of introduction. It was intended to be used in the Santa Rosa platform due to the 800 MHz FSB. The T9550 is only slightly higher clocked but offers already a FSB1066.
Due to the relatively high clock speed and 6MB Level 2 cache, the T9500 offers enough performance for demanding games (in 2009) and applications.
The T9500 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 to save power (in idle mode).
| Model | Intel Core i5-2520M | Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 | Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Codename | Sandy Bridge | Penryn | Penryn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core 2 Duo | Intel Core 2 Duo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series: Core 2 Duo Penryn |
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| Clock | 2500 - 3200 MHz | 2660 MHz | 2600 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L1 Cache | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 6 MB | 6 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDP | 35 Watt | 25 Watt | 35 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transistors | 624 Million | 410 Million | 410 Million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | 32 nm | 45 nm | 45 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Die Size | 149 mm2 | 107 mm2 | 107 mm2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| max. Temp. | 100 °C | 105 °C | 105 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Socket | rPGA988B / BGA1023 | PGA478 | BGA479, PGA478, PPGA478 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features | HD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization | Virtualization Technology (VT-x), Trusted Execution, Intel 64, Enhanced Speedstep, Execute Disable Bit | Virtualization Technolgoy (VT-x), Intel 64, Idle States, Enhanced Speedstep, Execute Disable Bit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iGPU | Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Architecture | x86 | x86 | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $225 U.S. | $348 U.S. | $530 U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Announced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FSB | 1066 | 800 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voltage | 1.05-1.212V V | 1.0-1.25V V |
Benchmarks
Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-2520M → 100% n=3
Average Benchmarks Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 → 68% n=3
Average Benchmarks Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 → 67% n=3
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation
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