Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 vs Intel Core i5-520M
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500
► remove from comparisonThe Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 was a upper middle class dual core CPU for laptops, at the time of introduction. It is similar to the Core 2 Duo T9400 except for the lower TDP of 25 versus 35 Watt).
Due to the relatively high clock speed and 6MB Level 2 cache, the P9500 offers enough performance for most demanding games (in 2009) and applications.
The P9500 uses a Penryn (Montevina Update) core that features 2 integer units, 1 floating point unit, 1 load unit, and 1 store unit in a 14-stages long pipeline. Due to the Wide Dynamic Execution Technology, the core is able to simultaneously execute up to four instructions.
The integrated Enhanced Speedstep is able to downclock the core dynamically to save power (in idle mode).
Intel Core i5-520M
► remove from comparisonThe 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.
Model | Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 | Intel Core i5-520M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series | Intel Core 2 Duo | Intel Core i5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Codename | Penryn | Arrandale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series: Core i5 Arrandale |
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Clock | 2530 MHz | 2400 - 2933 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FSB | 1066 | 2500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L1 Cache | 128 KB | 128 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L2 Cache | 6 MB | 512 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TDP | 25 Watt | 35 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transistors | 410 Million | 382+177 Million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology | 45 nm | 32 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Die Size | 107 mm2 | 81+114 mm2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
max. Temp. | 105 °C | 105 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Socket | BGA479, PGA478 | BGA1288, PGA988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Features | Virtualization Technology (VT-x), Trusted Execution, Intel 64, Enhanced Speedstep, Execute Disable Bit | Turbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Architecture | x86 | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$348 U.S. | $225 U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Announced | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturer | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L3 Cache | 3 MB |