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Intel Core i5-520M vs Intel Core i7-2640M vs Intel Core i5-560UM

Intel Core i5-520M

► remove from comparison Intel 520M

The 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.

Intel Core i7-2640M

► remove from comparison Intel 2640M

The Intel Core i7-2640M is the fastest dual core processor at the time of introduction in Q3 2011 and successor of the slower clocked i7-2620M. 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 slower Core i5, the i7 offers a larger last level cache of 4MB. The base clock speed is 2.8 GHz but due to Turbo Boost it can reach 3.3 GHz (2 cores active) and 3.5 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 i7-2640M 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 2620M it is clocked from 650-1300MHz (Turbo Boost), and in the 2640M it should be similar.

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 i7-2640M is higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i7 dual core. The performance should even excel the old high-end quad core models like the Core i7-820QM.

The 35W TDP rating includes the integrated GPU and memory controller.

Intel Core i5-560UM

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i5-560UM is a Ultra Low Voltage dual-core processor for small and light laptops. It is clocked with 1.3 - 2 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). AES, VT-d and Trusted Execution are activated (compared to the 470UM).

A feature of the Core i5-560UM 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, HyperThreading and Turbo Boost, the  Core i5-560UM is faster than a similar clocked Core 2 Duo (1.3 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 2.13 GHz may not be important.

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).

ModelIntel Core i5-520MIntel Core i7-2640MIntel Core i5-560UM
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i7Intel Core i5
CodenameArrandaleSandy BridgeArrandale
Series: Core i5 Arrandale
Intel Core i5-580M2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M2.53 - 3.07 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-460M2.53 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520M « 2.4 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-450M2.4 - 2.66 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430M2.26 - 2.53 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560UM1.33 - 2.13 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-470UM1.33 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540UM1.2 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520UM1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2960XM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M « 2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M1.6 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2617M1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i5-580M2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M2.67 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-480M2.67 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540M2.53 - 3.07 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-460M2.53 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520M2.4 - 2.93 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-450M2.4 - 2.66 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430M2.26 - 2.53 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560UM « 1.33 - 2.13 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-470UM1.33 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-540UM1.2 - 2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-520UM1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Clock2400 - 2933 MHz2800 - 3500 MHz1333 - 2130 MHz
FSB25002500
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB4 MB3 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 42 / 4
TDP35 Watt35 Watt18 Watt
Transistors382+177 Million624 Million382+177 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size81+114 mm2149 mm281+114 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C100 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1288, PGA988BGA1288
FeaturesTurbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz,HD Graphics 3000, DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationIntel HD Graphics 166-500MHz, DDR3-800 Memory Controller, Turbo Boost, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization Technology VT-x, Intel 64, Idle States, Enhanced Speedstep, Thermal Monitoring, Fast Memory Access, Flex Memory Access, Execute Disable Bit
Architecturex86x86x86
$225 U.S.$346 U.S.$250 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
520M +
min: 1.97     avg: 2.1     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.19 Points
min: 3.07     avg: 3.1     median: 3.2 (4%)     max: 3.2 Points
1.5 Points (2%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 2640M +
1.4 Points (34%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 520M +
min: 2789     avg: 3017     median: 3046 (18%)     max: 3102 Points
146%
1 2640M +
min: 4009     avg: 4383     median: 4443 (27%)     max: 4506 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 520M +
min: 6114     avg: 6661     median: 6753 (5%)     max: 6925 Points
145%
1 2640M +
min: 9691     avg: 9766     median: 9778 (7%)     max: 9833 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
520M +
min: 7129     avg: 8022     median: 8165 (6%)     max: 8342 Points
min: 11067     avg: 11767     median: 11874 (8%)     max: 12037 Points
5684 Points (4%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
520M +
min: 1799     avg: 3636     median: 3732 (5%)     max: 3957 Points
min: 5445     avg: 5549     median: 5534 (7%)     max: 5665 Points
2743 Points (3%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
520M +
min: 599     avg: 814     median: 623.5 (7%)     max: 1428 s
min: 478.5     avg: 493.6     median: 489 (6%)     max: 524 s
1965 s (23%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
520M +
min: 19     avg: 26.6     median: 20 (4%)     max: 44.63 s
min: 15     avg: 15.5     median: 15.1 (3%)     max: 16.61 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2640M +
min: 2555     avg: 2632     median: 2620 (4%)     max: 2733 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 2640M +
min: 16.38     avg: 16.9     median: 17 (6%)     max: 17.21 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2640M +
min: 88.7     avg: 91     median: 89.3 (21%)     max: 95 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 2640M +
min: 0.124     avg: 0.1     median: 0.1 (0%)     max: 0.152 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2640M +
min: 0.198     avg: 0.2     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.27 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2640M +
1.6 GB/s (4%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
520M +
min: 2602     avg: 2728     median: 2728.5 (6%)     max: 2817 Points
min: 3882     avg: 3934     median: 3927 (8%)     max: 3978 Points
1976 Points (4%)
min: 11     avg: 11.2     median: 11 (2%)     max: 11.66 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
520M +
min: 36     avg: 38.4     median: 38 (2%)     max: 44 s
min: 25     avg: 26     median: 26 (1%)     max: 27.04 s
min: 604     avg: 626     median: 634 (3%)     max: 639 s
1209 s (5%)
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
520M +
min: 31600     avg: 34553     median: 33240 (16%)     max: 39000 MIPS
min: 64300     avg: 64523     median: 64545 (31%)     max: 64700 MIPS
26690 MIPS (13%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
520M +
min: 25360     avg: 28514     median: 28250 (22%)     max: 35320 MFLOPS
min: 39000     avg: 39255     median: 39135 (30%)     max: 39750 MFLOPS
19310 MFLOPS (15%)
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 520M +
8082 Points (17%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
1 520M +
min: 5.2     avg: 6.6     median: 6.7 (86%)     max: 6.8 Points
106%
1 2640M +
min: 7     avg: 7.2     median: 7.1 (91%)     max: 7.6 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 520M +
min: 7304     avg: 7540     median: 7560 (7%)     max: 7658 Points
140%
1 2640M +
min: 10127     avg: 10509     median: 10559 (9%)     max: 10838 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 2640M +
min: 3902     avg: 4140     median: 4172 (11%)     max: 4320 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2640M +
26569 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2640M +
2876 Points (7%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
100%
1 2640M +
7873 Points (64%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 2640M +
6847 Points (62%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 2640M +
7293 Points (14%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 2640M +
6298 Points (13%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 2640M +
6913 Points (18%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-520M → 100% n=11

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2640M → 129% n=11

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-560UM → 82% n=11

- 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

v1.28
log 01. 22:39:01

#0 checking url part for id 534 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 2839 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 1240 +0s ... 0s

#3 redirected to Ajax server, took 1719866341 +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:15:43 +0200 +0s ... 0s

#5 composed specs +0.008s ... 0.009s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.009s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 534 +0.001s ... 0.01s

#8 got single benchmarks 534 +0.04s ... 0.049s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 2839 +0.001s ... 0.05s

#10 got single benchmarks 2839 +0.012s ... 0.063s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 1240 +0.001s ... 0.063s

#12 got single benchmarks 1240 +0.004s ... 0.067s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.067s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.042s ... 0.109s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.109s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)