Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 vs Intel Core i5-520UM vs Intel Core 2 Duo T9800
Intel Core 2 Duo P9600
► remove from comparisonThe Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 was a upper middle class dual core CPU for laptops, at the time of introduction. It is similar to the Core 2 Duo T9550 except for the lower TDP of 25 versus 35 Watt).
Due to the relatively high clock speed and 6MB Level 2 cache, the P9600 offers enough performance for demanding games (in 2009) and applications. The newer Core i3-330M should deliver a similar performance due to the hyperthreading support.
The P9600 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 i5-520UM
► remove from comparisonThe 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 2 Duo T9800
► remove from comparisonThe Intel Core 2 Duo T9800 was the top dual core CPU for laptops at the time of introduction. Later it was topped by the Core 2 Duo T9900 / X9100. Still the T9800 is a high end laptop CPU which is well suited for single and dual threaded applications.
Due to the high clock speed, the T9800 offers enough performance for demanding games (in 2009) and applications. On average, only faster dual cores (like the T9900 or fast Core i7) or Core i7 quad cores can be faster than the T9800.
The T9800 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 as low as 800 MHz to save power (in idle mode).
The Core 2 Duo T9800 can be used in a Socket P socket with 479 pins: Socket P / Micro Flip-Chip Pin Grid Array (Micro-FCPGA) requires 479-pin surface mount Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket (mPGA479M socket) or Micro Flip-Chip Ball Grid Array (Micro-FCBGA) for surface mount (479-ball)
Model | Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 | Intel Core i5-520UM | Intel Core 2 Duo T9800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series | Intel Core 2 Duo | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core 2 Duo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Codename | Penryn | Arrandale | Penryn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series: Core 2 Duo Penryn |
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Clock | 2660 MHz | 1060 - 1866 MHz | 2920 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FSB | 1066 | 2500 | 1066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L1 Cache | 128 KB | 128 KB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L2 Cache | 6 MB | 512 KB | 6 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TDP | 25 Watt | 18 Watt | 35 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transistors | 410 Million | 382+177 Million | 410 Million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
45 nm, 1.05-1.212V | 32 nm | 45 nm, 1-1.25 V | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Die Size | 107 mm2 | 81+114 mm2 | 107 mm2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
max. Temp. | 105 °C | 105 °C | 105 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Socket | PGA478 | BGA1288 | Socket P (BGA479, PGA478) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Features | Virtualization Technology (VT-x), Trusted Execution, Intel 64, Enhanced Speedstep, Execute Disable Bit | Turbo Boost (1.86 GHz max), Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrated GMA HD 166-500MHz | Virtualization (VT-x), Trusted Execution, Intel 64, Enhanced Speedstep, Execute Disable Bit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Architecture | x86 | x86 | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$348 U.S. | $241 U.S. | $530 U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Announced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturer | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L3 Cache | 3 MB |