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Intel Core i5-540M vs Intel Core i5-520UM vs Intel Core i5-520M

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 i5-520UM

► remove from comparison Intel 520UM

The Intel Core i5-520UM is a Ultra Low Voltage dual-core processor for small and light laptops. It is clocked with 1.06 - 1.86 GHz (if Turbo Boost is enabled). 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 i7-620UM, the i5 offers only 3MB Level 3 cache (i7 4MB) and a lower maximum Turbo Boost frequency. Other Core i5 CPUs (withouth the U in the name) are faster due to the higher clock speed, but need more power.

A feature of the new Core i5-520UM 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 i5-520UM is faster than a similar clocked Core 2 Duo (1.2 GHz) in all (us known) applications and benchmarks. Still the Turbo Boost may not trigger very often (sometimes it is even not activated in the BIOS) and therefore the maximum of 1.86 GHz is not very important. 

The 32nm cpu cores of the Westmere generation can also process some new instructions to accelerate AES encryptions. Modern applications that support AES encoding can profit significantly 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 166-500 MHz (Turbo Boost) and therefore the base speed is clearly below the non low voltage versions. The performance should still be faster than the old GMA 4500MHD.

The power consumption of 18 Watt TDP (max.) counts for the whole package and therefore it is clearly better than the 17 Watt TDP of the Core 2 Duo SL-series (CPU alone).

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.

ModelIntel Core i5-540MIntel Core i5-520UMIntel Core i5-520M
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 i5-450M2.4 - 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 i5-520UM « 1.06 - 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 i5-520M « 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
Clock2530 - 3066 MHz1060 - 1866 MHz2400 - 2933 MHz
FSB250025002500
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB3 MB3 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 42 / 4
TDP35 Watt18 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, PGA988BGA1288BGA1288, PGA988
FeaturesTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz,Turbo Boost (1.86 GHz max), Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrated GMA HD 166-500MHzTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz,
Architecturex86x86x86
$257 U.S.$241 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%
540M +
min: 2.16     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.29 Points
min: 1.02     avg: 1.2     median: 1.2 (2%)     max: 1.33 Points
min: 1.97     avg: 2.1     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.19 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
540M +
min: 3061     avg: 3141     median: 3132.5 (19%)     max: 3214 Points
min: 1471     avg: 1981     median: 1942.5 (12%)     max: 2569 Points
min: 2789     avg: 3017     median: 3046 (18%)     max: 3102 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
540M +
min: 6545     avg: 6950     median: 7030.5 (5%)     max: 7211 Points
min: 2785     avg: 3670     median: 3778 (3%)     max: 4340 Points
min: 6114     avg: 6661     median: 6753 (5%)     max: 6925 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
540M +
min: 7844     avg: 8349     median: 8408 (6%)     max: 8600 Points
min: 3946     avg: 4600     median: 4632.5 (3%)     max: 5187 Points
min: 7129     avg: 8022     median: 8165 (6%)     max: 8342 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
540M +
min: 3237     avg: 3785     median: 3938 (5%)     max: 3991 Points
min: 2263     avg: 2561     median: 2423.5 (3%)     max: 3135 Points
min: 1799     avg: 3636     median: 3732 (5%)     max: 3957 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
540M +
min: 569     avg: 740     median: 577 (7%)     max: 1352 s
min: 995     avg: 1110     median: 1110 (13%)     max: 1225 s
min: 599     avg: 814     median: 623.5 (7%)     max: 1428 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
540M +
min: 18.1     avg: 18.8     median: 18.5 (4%)     max: 19.9 s
min: 31.8     avg: 35.2     median: 35.2 (7%)     max: 38.5 s
100%
520M +
min: 19     avg: 26.6     median: 20 (4%)     max: 44.63 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
540M +
min: 2643     avg: 2814     median: 2826 (6%)     max: 2905 Points
min: 982     avg: 1429     median: 1492 (3%)     max: 1718 Points
min: 2602     avg: 2728     median: 2728.5 (6%)     max: 2817 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
540M +
15 s (3%)
min: 24     avg: 26.7     median: 25 (5%)     max: 31 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
min: 56     avg: 62.3     median: 58 (2%)     max: 73 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
min: 1303     avg: 1439     median: 1341 (6%)     max: 1674 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 540M +
min: 32820     avg: 34953     median: 33495 (16%)     max: 40000 MIPS
99%
1 520M +
min: 31600     avg: 34553     median: 33240 (16%)     max: 39000 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 540M +
min: 26630     avg: 27546     median: 26815 (21%)     max: 29923 MFLOPS
105%
1 520M +
min: 25360     avg: 28514     median: 28250 (22%)     max: 35320 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
540M +
min: 6030     avg: 6499     median: 6498.5 (13%)     max: 6967 Points
min: 2848     avg: 3571     median: 3925 (8%)     max: 3940 Points
124%
520M +
8082 Points (17%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
540M +
min: 5.2     avg: 6.4     median: 6.6 (85%)     max: 6.8 Points
min: 3.9     avg: 4.7     median: 4.8 (61%)     max: 5.4 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
540M +
min: 7801     avg: 7897     median: 7904 (7%)     max: 7994 Points
min: 3751     avg: 4065     median: 4064.5 (4%)     max: 4378 Points
min: 7304     avg: 7540     median: 7560 (7%)     max: 7658 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-540M → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-520UM → 72% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-520M → 100% 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. 13:07:25

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

#1 checking url part for id 563 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 534 +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 +0.021s ... 0.022s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.022s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 533 +0.002s ... 0.024s

#8 got single benchmarks 533 +0.03s ... 0.054s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 563 +0.002s ... 0.056s

#10 got single benchmarks 563 +0.016s ... 0.072s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 534 +0.002s ... 0.075s

#12 got single benchmarks 534 +0.095s ... 0.17s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.17s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.141s ... 0.311s

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

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