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

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 i5-540UM

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i5-540UM is a Ultra Low Voltage dual-core processor for small and light laptops. It is clocked with 1.2 - 2 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). AES, VT-d and Trusted Execution are activated (compared to the 430UM).

A feature of the new Core i5-540UM 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 i5-540UM 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 2 GHz may not be important.

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).

ModelIntel Core i5-540MIntel Core i5-540UM
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5
CodenameArrandaleArrandale
Series: Core i5 Arrandale
Intel Core i5-580M compare2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M compare2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M compare2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M « 2.53 - 3.07 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-460M compare2.53 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520M compare2.4 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-450M compare2.4 - 2.66 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430M compare2.26 - 2.53 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560UM compare1.33 - 2.13 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-470UM compare1.33 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540UM1.2 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520UM compare1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM compare1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-580M compare2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M compare2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M compare2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M2.53 - 3.07 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-460M compare2.53 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520M compare2.4 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-450M compare2.4 - 2.66 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430M compare2.26 - 2.53 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560UM compare1.33 - 2.13 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-470UM compare1.33 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540UM « 1.2 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520UM compare1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM compare1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Clock2530 - 3066 MHz1200 - 2000 MHz
FSB25002500
L1 Cache128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB3 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 4
TDP35 Watt18 Watt
Transistors382+177 Million382+177 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm
Die Size81+114 mm281+114 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1288, PGA988BGA1288
FeaturesTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz,Intel HD Graphics 166-500MHz, DDR3-800 Memory Controller, Turbo Boost, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization Technology VT-x, Intel 64, Idle States, Enhanced Speedstep, Thermal Monitoring, Fast Memory Access, Flex Memory Access, Execute Disable Bit
Architecturex86x86
$257 U.S.$250 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 540M +
min: 2.16     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.29 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 540M +
min: 3061     avg: 3141     median: 3132.5 (19%)     max: 3214 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 540M +
min: 6545     avg: 6950     median: 7030.5 (5%)     max: 7211 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 540M +
min: 7844     avg: 8349     median: 8408 (6%)     max: 8600 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 540M +
min: 3237     avg: 3785     median: 3938 (5%)     max: 3991 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 540M +
min: 569     avg: 740     median: 577 (7%)     max: 1352 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
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
1 540M +
min: 2643     avg: 2814     median: 2826 (6%)     max: 2905 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 540M +
15 s (3%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 540M +
min: 35     avg: 36.2     median: 36 (2%)     max: 37 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 540M +
min: 822     avg: 848     median: 850 (4%)     max: 867 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 540M +
min: 32820     avg: 34953     median: 33495 (16%)     max: 40000 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 540M +
min: 26630     avg: 27546     median: 26815 (21%)     max: 29923 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 540M +
min: 6030     avg: 6499     median: 6498.5 (13%)     max: 6967 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
1 540M +
min: 5.2     avg: 6.4     median: 6.6 (85%)     max: 6.8 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 540M +
min: 7801     avg: 7897     median: 7904 (7%)     max: 7994 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-540M → 0% n=

- 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

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