The Intel Core i5-2540M is a fast high end dual core processor at the time of introduction in Q1 2011. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and offers Hyperthreading to handle 4 threads at once (for a better usage of the pipeline). Compared to the faster Core i7, the i5 offers a smaller last level cache of 3MB. The base clock speed is 2.6 GHz but due to Turbo Boost it can reach 3.1 GHz (2 cores active) and 3.3 GHz (1 core active).
Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements are the new 256Bit AVX instructions, the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core.
Der i5-2540M offers an integrated graphics card ( Intel HD Graphics 3000) which is clearly faster then the older Intel HD Graphics in the Arrandale CPUs. As the new GPU is included in the CPU, it is also manufactured in 32nm and shares the fast level 3 cache with the CPU cores (using a new ring bus). In the 2540M it is clocked from 650-1300MHz (Turbo Boost).
Furthermore, an improved dual-channel DDR3 memory controller is included on the CPU die that is used by the CPU and GPU part.
Due to the improved architecture and the new Turbo Boost 2.0, the average performance of the Core i5-2540M is higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i5. In synthetic benchmarks the performance should be on a level to the old Core i7-620M and therefore suited for even demanding tasks.
The 35W TDP rating includes the integrated GPU and memory controller.
| Codename | Sandy Bridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series | Intel Core i5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series: Core i5 Sandy Bridge
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clock Rate | 2600 - 3300 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 Cache | 128 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 2 Cache | 512 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 3 Cache | 3 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power) | 35 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transistor Count | 624 Million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing Technology | 32 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Die Size | 149 mm2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max. Temperature | 100 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Socket | rPGA988B, BGA1023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features | HD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 64 Bit | 64 Bit support | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Architecture | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Starting Price | $266 U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Announcement Date | 02/20/2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product Link (external) | ark.intel.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Average benchmark values for this graphics cardDell Latitude E6520 i5/HD: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 15.60", 2.8 kg
Review » Review Dell Latitude E6520 i5/HD Notebook
HP EliteBook 2560P-XB208AV: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 12.50", 1.8 kg
External Review » HP EliteBook 2560P-XB208AV
Panasonic Toughbook CF-31, Sandy Bride: AMD Radeon HD 6750M, 13.10", 3.7 kg
External Review » Panasonic Toughbook CF-31, Sandy Bride
HP EliteBook 8560w-LG660EA: AMD FirePro M5950, 15.60", 3.3 kg
External Review » HP EliteBook 8560w-LG660EA
Dell Latitude E6220: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 12.50", 1.4 kg
External Review » Dell Latitude E6220
Rock Xtreme 685-I5-2540M: AMD Radeon HD 6990M, 15.60", 3.1 kg
External Review » Rock Xtreme 685-I5-2540M
Acer TravelMate 6495T-6813: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 14.00", 3.6 kg
External Review » Acer TravelMate 6495T-6813
HP EliteBook 2760p-LG682EA: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 12.10", 1.8 kg
External Review » HP EliteBook 2760p-LX389AW
Nexoc E643: AMD Radeon HD 6730M, 15.60", 2.7 kg
External Review » Nexoc E643
HP EliteBook 8460p–LG743EA: AMD Radeon HD 6470M, 14.00", 2.1 kg
External Review » HP EliteBook 8460p–LG743EA
Novatech Nspire Pro 2540: NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M, 15.60", 2.6 kg
External Review » Novatech Nspire Pro 2540
Lenovo Ideapad V570-M57E2GE: NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M, 15.60", 2.4 kg
External Review » Lenovo Ideapad V570-M57E2GE
Lenovo ThinkPad T420s-NV7KKGE: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 14.00", 2 kg
External Review » Lenovo ThinkPad T420s-NV7KKGE
Lenovo ThinkPad L421-7826K13: AMD Radeon HD 6470M, 14.00", 2.3 kg
External Review » Lenovo ThinkPad L421-7826K13
HP Elitebook 8560p-LQ589AW: AMD Radeon HD 6470M, 15.60", 2.7 kg
External Review » HP Elitebook 8560p-LQ589AW
HP Probook 6360b: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 13.30", 2.2 kg
External Review » HP Probook 6360b
Dell Latitude E6520-L652050: NVIDIA NVS 4200M, 15.60", 2.8 kg
External Review » Dell Latitude E6520-L652050
Dell Latitude E6520 i5/HD: Intel HD Graphics 3000, 15.60", 2.8 kg
External Review » Dell Latitude E6520 i5/HD
HP Elitebook 8560p: AMD Radeon HD 6470M, 15.60", 2.7 kg
External Review » HP Elitebook 8560p
Sony Vaio VPC-CA190X: AMD Radeon HD 6470M, 14.00", 2.4 kg
External Review » Sony Vaio VPC-CA190X
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