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Intel Core i5-540M

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.

SeriesIntel Core i5
CodenameArrandale

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 i5-540UM compare1.2 - 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
Clock Rate2530 - 3066 MHz
Front Side Bus2500
Level 1 Cache128 KB
Level 2 Cache512 KB
Level 3 Cache3 MB
Number of Cores / Threads2 / 4
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power)35 Watt
Transistor Count382+177 Million
Manufacturing Technology32 nm
Die Size81+114 mm2
Max. Temperature105 °C
SocketBGA1288, PGA988
FeaturesTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz,
64 Bit64 Bit support
Architecturex86
Starting Price$257 U.S.
Announcement Date01/04/2010
Product Link (external)Intel Core i5 540M

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 2.16     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.29 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 3061     avg: 3141     median: 3132.5 (19%)     max: 3214 points
+ 8 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 6545     avg: 6950     median: 7030.5 (5%)     max: 7211 points
+ 8 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 7844     avg: 8349     median: 8408 (6%)     max: 8600 Points
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 3237     avg: 3785     median: 3938 (21%)     max: 3991 Points
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 569     avg: 740     median: 577 (7%)     max: 1352 s
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 18.1     avg: 18.8     median: 18.5 (4%)     max: 19.9 s
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 2643     avg: 2814     median: 2826 (6%)     max: 2905 Points
+ 10 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
15 s (3%)
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 35     avg: 36.2     median: 36 (2%)     max: 37 s
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 822     avg: 848     median: 850 (4%)     max: 867 s
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 32820     avg: 34953     median: 33495 (16%)     max: 40000 MIPS
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 26630     avg: 27546     median: 26815 (21%)     max: 29923 MFLOPS
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
min: 6030     avg: 6499     median: 6498.5 (41%)     max: 6967 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 5.2     avg: 6.4     median: 6.6 (85%)     max: 6.8 Points
+ 6 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 7801     avg: 7897     median: 7904 (7%)     max: 7994 Points
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance

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Reviews for the Intel Core i5-540M processor

 

Review HP EliteBook 2740p Notebook

Master of transformation. HP is already releasing the third generation of its professional convertible notebooks onto the market with the Elitebook 2740p. Apart...
Intel Core i5-540M | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics | 12.10" | 1.8 kg
 

Review Packard Bell EasyNote TX86 540M Notebook

Glimmer Book. Icy blue, glimmering touchpad, cool aluminum haptics and tail-fin shaped line management. That is exclusive style, says Packard Bell. Tech fans wi...
Intel Core i5-540M | NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M | 15.60" | 2.5 kg
 

Review Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Notebook

Tender Evolution? Lenovo delivers the new X201; an updated and upgraded version of the older 12 inch Thinkpads. The X201 will be equipped with the latest Intel ...
Intel Core i5-540M | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics | 12.10" | 1.7 kg
 

Dell Latitude E4310 Short Review

Business Companion. Any manufacturer that wants to be a true business retailer, has to be able to offer high-quality notebooks in all the current formats. Of in...
Intel Core i5-540M | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics | 13.30" | 1.6 kg
 

Review HP EliteBook 8540p Notebook

The golden boy? The HP Elitebook 8540p is positioned in between the HP Probook 6540b and the HP Elitebook 8540w due to its price and its performance. Those read...
Intel Core i5-540M | NVIDIA Quadro NVS 5100M | 15.60" | 2.9 kg

Apple MacBook Pro 17 inch 2010-04: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, 17.00", 3 kg
  Review » Review Apple MacBook Pro 17 inch 2010-04 Notebook

Asus U43j: NVIDIA GeForce 310M, 14.00", 2.3 kg
  External Review » Asus U43j

Asus N53jf: NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M, 15.60", 3 kg
  External Review » Asus N53jf

Asus N73Jg: NVIDIA GeForce GT 415M, 17.30", 3.4 kg
  External Review » Asus N73Jg

HP EliteBook 8540p: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 5100M, 15.60", 2.9 kg
  External Review » HP EliteBook 8540p

HP EliteBook 8540w-WD928EA: NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M, 15.60", 3 kg
  External Review » HP EliteBook 8540w-WD928EA

Asus K42JV-VX054V: NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M, 14.00", 2.2 kg
  External Review » Asus K42JV-VX054V

Packard Bell Easynote TX86-MS2300: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, 15.60", 2.5 kg
  External Review » Packard Bell Easynote TX86-MS2300

Packard Bell EasyNote TX86-JO-025FR: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, 15.60", 2.5 kg
  External Review » Packard Bell EasyNote TX86-JO-025FR

Dell Latitude E4310: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics, 13.30", 1.6 kg
  External Review » Dell Latitude E4310

HP EliteBook 8440p-WL653PA: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics, 14.00", 2.2 kg
  External Review » HP EliteBook 8440p-WL653PA

Apple MacBook Pro 17 inch 2010-04: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, 17.00", 3 kg
  External Review » Apple MacBook Pro 17 inch 2010-04

HP EliteBook 2740p: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics, 12.10", 1.8 kg
  External Review » HP EliteBook 2740p

HP EliteBook 8540p: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 5100M, 15.60", 2.9 kg
  External Review » HP EliteBook 8540p

Lenovo ThinkPad X201: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics, 12.10", 1.8 kg
  External Review » Lenovo ThinkPad X201

Lenovo Ideapad G560: NVIDIA GeForce 310M, 15.60", 3.3 kg
  External Review » Lenovo Ideapad G560

Asus K42F: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD, 14.00", 2.2 kg
  External Review » Asus K42F

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Other CPUs of the series Core i5

» Intel Core i5-8305G
   4x 2.8 GHz - 3.8 GHz
» Intel Core i5-8365U
   4x 1.6 GHz - 4.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-8265U
   4x 1.6 GHz - 3.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6440HQ
   4x 2.6 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6350HQ
   4x 2.3 GHz - 3.2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6300HQ
   4x 2.3 GHz - 3.2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-5350H
   2x 3 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6287U
   2x 3.1 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6267U
   2x 2.9 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-5287U
   2x 2.9 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4340M
   2x 2.9 GHz - 3.6 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4210H
   2x 2.9 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4330M
   2x 2.8 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4200H
   2x 2.8 GHz - 3.4 GHz
» Intel Core i5-5257U
   2x 2.7 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4308U
   2x 2.8 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4310M
   2x 2.7 GHz - 3.4 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4400E
   2x 2.7 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4300M
   2x 2.6 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6360U
   2x 2 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4210M
   2x 2.6 GHz - 3.2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6300U
   2x 2.4 GHz - 3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4288U
   2x 2.6 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4278U
   2x 2.6 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3380M
   2x 2.9 GHz - 3.6 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3360M
   2x 2.8 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4200M
   2x 2.5 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3340M
   2x 2.7 GHz - 3.4 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6260U
   2x 1.8 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3320M
   2x 2.6 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4258U
   2x 2.4 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3230M
   2x 2.6 GHz - 3.2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6198DU
   2x 2.3 GHz - 2.8 GHz
» Intel Core i5-6200U
   2x 2.3 GHz - 2.8 GHz
» Intel Core i5-5300U
   2x 2.3 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-5350U
   2x 1.8 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3210M
   2x 2.5 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2540M
   2x 2.6 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4310U
   2x 2 GHz - 3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4360U
   2x 1.5 GHz - 3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-5200U
   2x 2.2 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» Intel Core i5-5250U
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4300U
   2x 1.9 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4350U
   2x 1.4 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2520M
   2x 2.5 GHz - 3.2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2450M
   2x 2.5 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Intel Core i5-580M
   2x 2.67 GHz - 3.33 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2435M
   2x 2.4 GHz - 3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2430M
   2x 2.4 GHz - 3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2415M
   2x 2.3 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2410M
   2x 2.3 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3437U
   2x 1.9 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-560M
   2x 2.67 GHz - 3.2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4210U
   2x 1.7 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4260U
   2x 1.4 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3427U
   2x 1.8 GHz - 2.8 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4402E
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4200U
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4250U
   2x 1.3 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3337U
   2x 1.8 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» Intel Core i5-480M
   2x 2.67 GHz - 2.93 GHz
» Intel Core i5-540M
   2x 2.53 GHz - 3.07 GHz
» Intel Core i5-460M
   2x 2.53 GHz - 2.8 GHz
» Intel Core i5-520M
   2x 2.4 GHz - 2.93 GHz
» Intel Core i5-450M
   2x 2.4 GHz - 2.66 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3317U
   2x 1.7 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» Intel Core i5-430M
   2x 2.26 GHz - 2.53 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4300Y
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4302Y
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2557M
   2x 1.7 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3439Y
   2x 1.5 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4202Y
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4220Y
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4210Y
   2x 1.5 GHz - 1.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2467M
   2x 1.6 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-3339Y
   2x 1.5 GHz - 2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-4200Y
   2x 1.4 GHz - 1.9 GHz
» Intel Core i5-2537M
   2x 1.4 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» Intel Core i5-560UM
   2x 1.33 GHz - 2.13 GHz
» Intel Core i5-470UM
   2x 1.33 GHz - 1.87 GHz
» Intel Core i5-540UM
   2x 1.2 GHz - 2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-520UM
   2x 1.06 GHz - 1.87 GHz
» Intel Core i5-430UM
   2x 1.2 GHz - 1.73 GHz

Surrounding CPUs

+ Intel Core 2 Duo T9800
   2x 2.92 GHz
+ AMD FX-7600P
   4x 2.7 GHz - 3.6 GHz
+ Intel Pentium 4405U
   2x 2.1 GHz
+ Intel Core i5-480M
   2x 2.67 GHz - 2.93 GHz
+ Intel Core i7-2649M
   2x 2.3 GHz - 3.2 GHz
» Intel Core i5-540M
   2x 2.53 GHz - 3.07 GHz
- Intel Core i5-460M
   2x 2.53 GHz - 2.8 GHz
- Intel Core i3-5010U
   2x 2.1 GHz
- Intel Core i3-5015U
   2x 2.1 GHz
- Intel Core i3-6006U
   2x 2 GHz
- Intel Celeron 5205U
   2x 1.9 GHz
> Notebook / Laptop Reviews and News > Benchmarks / Tech > Notebook Processors > Intel Core i5 540M Notebook Processor
Klaus Hinum (Update: 2012-05-26)