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Intel Core i5-520M vs Intel Core i5-430M vs Intel Core i5-560M

Intel Core i5-520M

► remove from comparison Intel 520M

The Intel Core i5-520M is a dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.4 to 2.93 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 faster Core i7-620M, the 520M features only 3 MB Level 3 Cache and a lower clock speed (CPU and GPU).

A feature of the new Core i5-520M 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 i5 520M is on average faster than a Core 2 Duo T9500 and due to the Turbo Boost, single threaded applications run even better. Therefore, the Core i5-520M is as fast as high clocked Core 2 Duo CPUs and should handle most gaming and multimedia tasks well.

The 32nm cpu cores of the Westmere generation can also process some new instructions to accelerate AES encryptions.

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 more likely uses the TDP under load than the older Core 2 Duo CPUs. Without any load, the i5 uses noticable less power.

Intel Core i5-430M

► remove from comparison Intel 430M

The Intel Core i5-430M is a fast middle class dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.26 to 2.53 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 faster Core i7-620M, the 430M only has 3 MB Level 3 Cache, missing VT-d, Trusted Execution, and AES features and a lower clock speed.

A feature of the new Core i5-430M is the integrated graphics card (called Intel HD Graphics) 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.

Due to the integrated memory controller, the HyperThreading and Turbo Boost, the  Core i5-430M is faster than a similar clocked Core 2 Duo in all (us known) applications and benchmarks. In fact, the 430M even came close to a fast Core 2 Duo T9600 (2.8 GHz) in some benchmarks (e.g. Cinebench 10 Multi Threaded). This means the 430M is a fast middle class - performance CPU and much faster than the top AMD model, the Turion II Ultra M660 (at the time of announcement).

The 32nm cpu cores of the Westmere generation can also process some new instructions to accelerate AES encryptions. Still, these functions are deactivated on the Core i5-430M leading to some performance drawbacks in modern applications that support AES encoding using the new instructions (e.g. the Communications Suite test in the PCMark Vantage boosts up to 70% using AES in the faster Core i5-520M).

The integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD (GMA HD) graphics card is between 500-766 MHz (Turbo Boost) and is 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). The Turbo Boost can overclock the Intel HD Graphics up to 733 MHz when the cores are not fully used.

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).

Intel Core i5-560M

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i5-560M is a high end dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.66 to 3.2 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 i7-580M, the 560M a slightly lower maximum Turbo Boost frequency.

A feature of the new Core i5-560M 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 i5-560M should be a bit beyond the Core i7-620M and therefore the second fastest dual core CPU for laptops in 2010. Compared to the older Core 2 Duo models, the i5-560M should be faster than the T9900. Therefore, the Core i5-560M 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 32nm cpu cores of the Westmere generation can also process some new instructions to accelerate AES encryptions.

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.

ModelIntel Core i5-520MIntel Core i5-430MIntel Core i5-560M
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5Intel Core i5
CodenameArrandaleArrandaleArrandale
Series: Core i5 Arrandale
Intel Core i5-580M2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M2.53 - 3.07 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-460M2.53 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520M « 2.4 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-450M2.4 - 2.66 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430M2.26 - 2.53 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560UM1.33 - 2.13 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-470UM1.33 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540UM1.2 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520UM1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-580M2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M2.53 - 3.07 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-460M2.53 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520M2.4 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-450M2.4 - 2.66 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430M « 2.26 - 2.53 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560UM1.33 - 2.13 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-470UM1.33 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540UM1.2 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520UM1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-580M2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M « 2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M2.53 - 3.07 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-460M2.53 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520M2.4 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-450M2.4 - 2.66 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430M2.26 - 2.53 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560UM1.33 - 2.13 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-470UM1.33 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540UM1.2 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520UM1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Clock2400 - 2933 MHz2260 - 2533 MHz2667 - 3200 MHz
FSB250025002500
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB3 MB3 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 42 / 4
TDP35 Watt35 Watt35 Watt
Transistors382+177 Million177 Million382+177 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size81+114 mm2144 mm281+114 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1288, PGA988BGA1288, PGA988PGA988
FeaturesTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz,Turbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 500-733MHz, SSE4.1, SSE4.2Turbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 500-733MHz, Dual Channel DDR3 memory controller
Architecturex86x86x86
$225 U.S.$225 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
520M +
min: 1.97     avg: 2.1     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.19 Points
min: 1.56     avg: 2     median: 2 (3%)     max: 2.09 Points
110%
560M +
min: 2.36     avg: 2.4     median: 2.4 (3%)     max: 2.42 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
520M +
min: 2789     avg: 3017     median: 3046 (18%)     max: 3102 Points
min: 2573     avg: 2736     median: 2748 (17%)     max: 2953 Points
109%
560M +
min: 3263     avg: 3346     median: 3306 (20%)     max: 3486 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
520M +
min: 6114     avg: 6661     median: 6753 (5%)     max: 6925 Points
min: 5073     avg: 6300     median: 6357 (5%)     max: 6591 Points
111%
560M +
min: 7411     avg: 7487     median: 7466 (5%)     max: 7592 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
520M +
min: 7129     avg: 8022     median: 8165 (6%)     max: 8342 Points
min: 5917     avg: 7558     median: 7717.5 (5%)     max: 7937 Points
109%
560M +
min: 8593     avg: 8869     median: 8877.5 (6%)     max: 9127 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
520M +
min: 1799     avg: 3636     median: 3732 (5%)     max: 3957 Points
min: 2954     avg: 3350     median: 3372 (4%)     max: 3454 Points
110%
560M +
min: 4001     avg: 4112     median: 4090 (5%)     max: 4268 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
520M +
min: 599     avg: 814     median: 623.5 (7%)     max: 1428 s
100%
430M +
min: 407.4     avg: 727     median: 642 (8%)     max: 1602 s
101%
560M +
min: 536     avg: 555     median: 542.5 (6%)     max: 600 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
520M +
min: 19     avg: 26.6     median: 20 (4%)     max: 44.63 s
100%
430M +
min: 12.68     avg: 23.5     median: 20.7 (4%)     max: 54 s
100%
560M +
min: 17     avg: 17.9     median: 17.7 (4%)     max: 19.34 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
520M +
min: 2602     avg: 2728     median: 2728.5 (6%)     max: 2817 Points
min: 2330     avg: 2568     median: 2584 (5%)     max: 2654 Points
114%
560M +
min: 3061     avg: 3104     median: 3115.5 (7%)     max: 3122 Points
100%
430M +
min: 16     avg: 17.5     median: 17.7 (4%)     max: 18 s
100%
560M +
min: 14     avg: 14.4     median: 14.2 (3%)     max: 15 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
520M +
min: 36     avg: 38.4     median: 38 (2%)     max: 44 s
100%
430M +
min: 38     avg: 41.4     median: 41.3 (2%)     max: 43.85 s
100%
560M +
min: 33     avg: 35     median: 35.6 (2%)     max: 36.44 s
100%
430M +
min: 900     avg: 962     median: 962 (4%)     max: 1034 s
100%
560M +
min: 789     avg: 804     median: 806 (4%)     max: 825 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 520M +
min: 31600     avg: 34553     median: 33240 (16%)     max: 39000 MIPS
87%
1 430M +
min: 27890     avg: 29299     median: 28910 (14%)     max: 31740 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 520M +
min: 25360     avg: 28514     median: 28250 (22%)     max: 35320 MFLOPS
84%
1 430M +
min: 22500     avg: 23713     median: 23820 (18%)     max: 26530 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
520M +
8082 Points (17%)
min: 5506     avg: 6342     median: 6525.5 (13%)     max: 6809 Points
min: 6475     avg: 6964     median: 6964 (14%)     max: 7453 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
520M +
min: 5.2     avg: 6.6     median: 6.7 (86%)     max: 6.8 Points
100%
430M +
min: 6.3     avg: 6.6     median: 6.7 (86%)     max: 6.7 Points
101%
560M +
min: 6.7     avg: 6.8     median: 6.8 (87%)     max: 6.9 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
520M +
min: 7304     avg: 7540     median: 7560 (7%)     max: 7658 Points
min: 6803     avg: 7160     median: 7189.5 (6%)     max: 7366 Points
109%
560M +
min: 8234     avg: 8243     median: 8242.5 (7%)     max: 8251 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 430M +
2594 Points (7%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 430M +
27418 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 430M +
2190 Points (6%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 430M +
3173 Points (6%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-520M → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-430M → 95% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-560M → 104% n=14

- 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

v1.26
log 28. 16:59:03

#0 checking url part for id 534 +0s ... 0s

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#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:35:32 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.024s ... 0.025s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.025s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 534 +0.003s ... 0.028s

#8 got single benchmarks 534 +0.117s ... 0.144s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 535 +0.003s ... 0.147s

#10 got single benchmarks 535 +0.159s ... 0.306s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 1266 +0.004s ... 0.31s

#12 got single benchmarks 1266 +0.026s ... 0.335s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.335s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.18s ... 0.516s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.516s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)