Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i5-540M vs Intel Core i5-450M vs Intel Core i5-580M

Intel Core i5-540M

► remove from comparison Intel 540M

The Intel Core i5-540M is a mid-range dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.53 to 3.06 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 540M only has 3 MB Level 3 Cache and a lower clock speed.

A feature of the new Core i5-540M 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 i5-540M 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 i5-540M 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.

Intel Core i5-450M

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i5-450M is a dual-core laptop CPU and clocks (due to Turbo Boost) with max. 2.4 - 2.66 GHz. Both cores are based on the Nehalem (Westmere) micro-architecture and due to Hyperthreading the processor is able to work with 4 threads simultaneously. The performance of the i5 is in the mid-range. The i5-450M is similar to the Core i5-520M, but the 450M does not offer AES functions.

A feature of the new Core i5-450M 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 450M 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 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 i5-580M

► remove from comparison Intel 580M

The Intel Core i5-580M is a high end dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.66 to 3.33 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 i7-620M, the 580M only has 3 MB Level 3 Cache.

A feature of the new Core i5-580M is the integrated graphics card called GMA HD and memory controller for DDR3-800/1066. 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 i5-580M 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 i5-580M should be faster than the T9900. Therefore, the Core i5-580M 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 i5-540MIntel Core i5-450MIntel Core i5-580M
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 i5-540M « 2.53 - 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
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 i5-450M « 2.4 - 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 i5-580M « 2.67 - 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 i5-430M2.26 - 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
Clock2530 - 3066 MHz2400 - 2660 MHz2666 - 3333 MHz
FSB250025004800
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 Million382+177 Million382+177 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size81+114 mm281+114 mm281+114 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1288, PGA988PGA988BGA1288, PGA988
FeaturesTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz,HD Graphics (500-766MHz), DDR3-800/1066 Memory Controller (max. 8 GB), Turbo Boost, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization VT-x, Intel 64, Idle States, Enhanced Speedstep, Execute Disable Bit, MMX, SSE (1, 2, 3, 3S, 4.1, 4.2)Turbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 500-733MHz, Dual Channel DDR3 memory controller
Architecturex86x86x86
$257 U.S.$266 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
540M +
min: 2.16     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.29 Points
min: 1.71     avg: 2.1     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.19 Points
111%
580M +
min: 2.41     avg: 2.5     median: 2.5 (3%)     max: 2.5 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
540M +
min: 3061     avg: 3141     median: 3132.5 (19%)     max: 3214 Points
min: 2512     avg: 2882     median: 2922.5 (18%)     max: 3020 Points
112%
580M +
min: 3511     avg: 3545     median: 3519 (21%)     max: 3606 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
540M +
min: 6545     avg: 6950     median: 7030.5 (5%)     max: 7211 Points
min: 5580     avg: 6650     median: 6778.5 (5%)     max: 6945 Points
109%
580M +
min: 7591     avg: 7700     median: 7666 (6%)     max: 7842 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
540M +
min: 7844     avg: 8349     median: 8408 (6%)     max: 8600 Points
min: 7440     avg: 8070     median: 8094 (6%)     max: 8329 Points
110%
580M +
min: 7549     avg: 8744     median: 9273 (6%)     max: 9411 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
540M +
min: 3237     avg: 3785     median: 3938 (5%)     max: 3991 Points
min: 3012     avg: 3549     median: 3628 (4%)     max: 3690 Points
111%
580M +
min: 3535     avg: 4095     median: 4374 (5%)     max: 4377 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 540M +
min: 569     avg: 740     median: 577 (7%)     max: 1352 s
99%
1 450M +
min: 589     avg: 901     median: 634 (7%)     max: 1933 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 540M +
min: 18.1     avg: 18.8     median: 18.5 (4%)     max: 19.9 s
100%
1 450M +
min: 18.85     avg: 28.5     median: 20 (4%)     max: 59.2 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
540M +
min: 2643     avg: 2814     median: 2826 (6%)     max: 2905 Points
min: 2571     avg: 2769     median: 2795 (6%)     max: 2840 Points
112%
580M +
min: 3126     avg: 3174     median: 3174 (7%)     max: 3222 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
540M +
15 s (3%)
100%
450M +
min: 16     avg: 16.6     median: 16.4 (4%)     max: 18 s
100%
580M +
min: 13     avg: 13.3     median: 13 (3%)     max: 14 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
540M +
min: 35     avg: 36.2     median: 36 (2%)     max: 37 s
100%
450M +
min: 38     avg: 39.6     median: 39.4 (2%)     max: 41.3 s
100%
580M +
min: 32     avg: 33     median: 33 (1%)     max: 34 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
540M +
min: 822     avg: 848     median: 850 (4%)     max: 867 s
100%
450M +
min: 877     avg: 917     median: 913.5 (4%)     max: 984 s
100%
580M +
min: 769     avg: 781     median: 773 (3%)     max: 801 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
540M +
min: 32820     avg: 34953     median: 33495 (16%)     max: 40000 MIPS
min: 30620     avg: 32730     median: 31630 (15%)     max: 37850 MIPS
131%
580M +
43800 MIPS (21%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
540M +
min: 26630     avg: 27546     median: 26815 (21%)     max: 29923 MFLOPS
103%
450M +
min: 27000     avg: 29144     median: 27680 (21%)     max: 35580 MFLOPS
118%
580M +
31750 MFLOPS (24%)
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 540M +
min: 6030     avg: 6499     median: 6498.5 (13%)     max: 6967 Points
98%
1 450M +
6346 Points (13%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
540M +
min: 5.2     avg: 6.4     median: 6.6 (85%)     max: 6.8 Points
103%
450M +
min: 6.5     avg: 6.8     median: 6.8 (87%)     max: 6.8 Points
105%
580M +
6.9 Points (88%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
540M +
min: 7801     avg: 7897     median: 7904 (7%)     max: 7994 Points
min: 7076     avg: 7489     median: 7585 (7%)     max: 7637 Points
107%
580M +
min: 8375     avg: 8458     median: 8457.5 (7%)     max: 8540 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 450M +
2222 Points (6%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-540M → 100% n=13

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-450M → 98% n=13

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-580M → 110% n=13

- 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. 22:09:58

#0 checking url part for id 533 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 964 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 992 +0s ... 0s

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

#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 +0.027s ... 0.028s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.028s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 533 +0.003s ... 0.03s

#8 got single benchmarks 533 +0.034s ... 0.064s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 964 +0.003s ... 0.067s

#10 got single benchmarks 964 +0.087s ... 0.154s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 992 +0.003s ... 0.156s

#12 got single benchmarks 992 +0.012s ... 0.168s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.168s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.143s ... 0.311s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.311s

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)