Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i5-2520M vs Intel Core i5-560M

Intel Core i5-2520M

► remove from comparison Intel 2520M

The Intel Core i5-2520M is a fast dual-core processor released in Q1 2011. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and offers Hyperthreading to run 4 threads simultaneously. Compared to the faster Core i7 family, the i5 offers smaller L3 cache at just 3MB. The base clock speed is 2.5 GHz with Turbo Boost potential up to 3 GHz for 2 active cores and 3.2 GHz for 1 active core.

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most notable improvements are the new 256-Bit AVX instructions, updated Turbo Boost 2.0, and the integration of a GPU onto the same 32 nm die. 

The i5-2520M offers an integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 3000) that is clearly faster than the older Intel HD Graphics in Arrandale CPUs. The GPU shares the same fast L3 cache with the CPU cores by utilizing a new ring bus. GPU clock rates in the 2520M core can run from 650 MHz up to 1300 MHz with Turbo Boost.

Furthermore, an improved dual-channel DDR3 memory controller is included and shared between the CPU and GPU.

Due to the new architecture and updated Turbo Boost 2.0, the average performance of the Core i7-2540M is higher than a similarly clocked Arrandale Core i5. Its performance in synthetic benchmarks should be similar to the old Core i5-560M for demanding workloads.

The 35W TDP rating includes the integrated GPU and memory controller as well as the CPU itself.

Intel Core i5-560M

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i5-560M is a high end dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.66 to 3.2 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 Core i7-580M, the 560M a slightly lower maximum Turbo Boost frequency.

A feature of the new Core i5-560M 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 i5-560M should be a bit beyond the Core i7-620M and therefore the second fastest dual core CPU for laptops in 2010. Compared to the older Core 2 Duo models, the i5-560M should be faster than the T9900. Therefore, the Core i5-560M 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.

ModelIntel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-560M
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5
CodenameSandy BridgeArrandale
Series: Core i5 Arrandale
Intel Core i5-2540M compare2.6 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2520M « 2.5 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2450M compare2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2435M compare2.4 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2430M compare2.4 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2415M compare2.3 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2410M compare2.3 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2557M compare1.7 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2467M compare1.6 - 2.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2537M compare1.4 - 2.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-580M compare2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M « 2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M compare2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M compare2.53 - 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
Clock2500 - 3200 MHz2667 - 3200 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB3 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 4
TDP35 Watt35 Watt
Transistors624 Million382+177 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm
Die Size149 mm281+114 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C105 °C
SocketrPGA988B / BGA1023PGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 500-733MHz, Dual Channel DDR3 memory controller
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86
$225 U.S.$225 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com
FSB2500

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 2.5     avg: 2.8     median: 2.9 (4%)     max: 2.89 Points
min: 2.36     avg: 2.4     median: 2.4 (3%)     max: 2.42 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 3370     avg: 3949     median: 4040.5 (24%)     max: 4110 Points
min: 3263     avg: 3346     median: 3306 (20%)     max: 3486 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 7313     avg: 8516     median: 8814.5 (6%)     max: 8858 Points
min: 7411     avg: 7487     median: 7466 (5%)     max: 7592 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 8789     avg: 10373     median: 10514 (7%)     max: 10797 Points
min: 8593     avg: 8869     median: 8877.5 (6%)     max: 9127 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 50.8     avg: 4703     median: 5004.5 (6%)     max: 5135 Points
min: 4001     avg: 4112     median: 4090 (5%)     max: 4268 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 526     avg: 555     median: 554 (7%)     max: 605 s
100%
560M +
min: 536     avg: 555     median: 542.5 (6%)     max: 600 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 16.6     avg: 18.1     median: 18 (4%)     max: 21 s
100%
560M +
min: 17     avg: 17.9     median: 17.7 (4%)     max: 19.34 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 3150     avg: 3469     median: 3541.5 (8%)     max: 3594 Points
min: 3061     avg: 3104     median: 3115.5 (7%)     max: 3122 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 11     avg: 12.4     median: 12 (3%)     max: 13 s
100%
560M +
min: 14     avg: 14.4     median: 14.2 (3%)     max: 15 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 25     avg: 28.9     median: 29 (1%)     max: 31 s
100%
560M +
min: 33     avg: 35     median: 35.6 (2%)     max: 36.44 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 623     avg: 677     median: 681 (3%)     max: 713 s
min: 789     avg: 804     median: 806 (4%)     max: 825 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 2520M +
min: 49000     avg: 49675     median: 49675 (24%)     max: 50350 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 2520M +
min: 34390     avg: 34855     median: 34855 (27%)     max: 35320 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
min: 7319     avg: 7809     median: 7514 (16%)     max: 8593 Points
min: 6475     avg: 6964     median: 6964 (14%)     max: 7453 Points
min: 6.7     avg: 6.8     median: 6.8 (87%)     max: 6.9 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 7940     avg: 9053     median: 9214 (8%)     max: 9674 Points
min: 8234     avg: 8243     median: 8242.5 (7%)     max: 8251 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 2520M +
min: 3306     avg: 3510     median: 3449 (9%)     max: 3754 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-2520M → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-560M → 92% n=14

- 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

Add one or more devices and compare

In the following list you can select (and also search for) devices that should be added to the comparison. You can select more than one device.

restrict list:

show all (including archived), 2024, 2023
v1.28
log 04. 20:22:20

#0 checking url part for id 1493 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 1266 +0s ... 0s

#2 redirected to Ajax server, took 1720117340 +0s ... 0s

#3 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 04 Jul 2024 05:15:21 +0200 +0s ... 0s

#4 composed specs +0.006s ... 0.006s

#5 did output specs +0s ... 0.006s

#6 getting avg benchmarks for device 1493 +0.001s ... 0.007s

#7 got single benchmarks 1493 +0.021s ... 0.028s

#8 getting avg benchmarks for device 1266 +0.001s ... 0.029s

#9 got single benchmarks 1266 +0.008s ... 0.037s

#10 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.037s

#11 min, max, avg, median took s +0.014s ... 0.051s

#12 return log +0.002s ... 0.054s

Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)