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Intel Core i5-520UM vs Intel Core i5-2520M vs Intel Core i5-430M

Intel Core i5-520UM

► remove from comparison Intel 520UM

The 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 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 i5-430M

► remove from comparison Intel 430M

The Intel Core i5-430M is a fast middle class dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.26 to 2.53 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 430M only has 3 MB Level 3 Cache, missing VT-d, Trusted Execution, and AES features and a lower clock speed.

A feature of the new Core i5-430M 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 i5-430M is faster than a similar clocked Core 2 Duo in all (us known) applications and benchmarks. In fact, the 430M even came close to a fast Core 2 Duo T9600 (2.8 GHz) in some benchmarks (e.g. Cinebench 10 Multi Threaded). This means the 430M is a fast middle class - performance CPU and much faster than the top AMD model, the Turion II Ultra M660 (at the time of announcement).

The 32nm cpu cores of the Westmere generation can also process some new instructions to accelerate AES encryptions. Still, these functions are deactivated on the Core i5-430M leading to some performance drawbacks in modern applications that support AES encoding 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 500-766 MHz (Turbo Boost) and is 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). The Turbo Boost can overclock the Intel HD Graphics up to 733 MHz when the cores are not fully used.

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).

ModelIntel Core i5-520UMIntel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-430M
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5Intel 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 i5-520M2.4 - 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 i5-560UM1.33 - 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 i5-520UM « 1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2540M2.6 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2520M « 2.5 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2450M2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2435M2.4 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2430M2.4 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2415M2.3 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2410M2.3 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2557M1.7 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2467M1.6 - 2.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2537M1.4 - 2.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 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 i5-430M « 2.26 - 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
Clock1060 - 1866 MHz2500 - 3200 MHz2260 - 2533 MHz
FSB25002500
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB3 MB3 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 42 / 4
TDP18 Watt35 Watt35 Watt
Transistors382+177 Million624 Million177 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size81+114 mm2149 mm2144 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C100 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1288rPGA988B / BGA1023BGA1288, PGA988
FeaturesTurbo Boost (1.86 GHz max), Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrated GMA HD 166-500MHzHD 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, SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Architecturex86x86x86
$241 U.S.$225 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 1.02     avg: 1.2     median: 1.2 (2%)     max: 1.33 Points
min: 2.5     avg: 2.8     median: 2.9 (4%)     max: 2.89 Points
171%
430M +
min: 1.56     avg: 2     median: 2 (3%)     max: 2.09 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 1471     avg: 1981     median: 1942.5 (12%)     max: 2569 Points
min: 3370     avg: 3949     median: 4040.5 (24%)     max: 4110 Points
141%
430M +
min: 2573     avg: 2736     median: 2748 (17%)     max: 2953 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 2785     avg: 3670     median: 3778 (3%)     max: 4340 Points
min: 7313     avg: 8516     median: 8814.5 (6%)     max: 8858 Points
168%
430M +
min: 5073     avg: 6300     median: 6357 (5%)     max: 6591 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 3946     avg: 4600     median: 4632.5 (3%)     max: 5187 Points
min: 8789     avg: 10373     median: 10514 (7%)     max: 10797 Points
167%
430M +
min: 5917     avg: 7558     median: 7717.5 (5%)     max: 7937 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 2263     avg: 2561     median: 2423.5 (3%)     max: 3135 Points
min: 50.8     avg: 4703     median: 5004.5 (6%)     max: 5135 Points
139%
430M +
min: 2954     avg: 3350     median: 3372 (4%)     max: 3454 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 995     avg: 1110     median: 1110 (13%)     max: 1225 s
min: 526     avg: 555     median: 554 (7%)     max: 605 s
106%
430M +
min: 407.4     avg: 727     median: 642 (8%)     max: 1602 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 31.8     avg: 35.2     median: 35.2 (7%)     max: 38.5 s
min: 16.6     avg: 18.1     median: 18 (4%)     max: 21 s
103%
430M +
min: 12.68     avg: 23.5     median: 20.7 (4%)     max: 54 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 982     avg: 1429     median: 1492 (3%)     max: 1718 Points
min: 3150     avg: 3469     median: 3541.5 (8%)     max: 3594 Points
173%
430M +
min: 2330     avg: 2568     median: 2584 (5%)     max: 2654 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 24     avg: 26.7     median: 25 (5%)     max: 31 s
min: 11     avg: 12.4     median: 12 (3%)     max: 13 s
102%
430M +
min: 16     avg: 17.5     median: 17.7 (4%)     max: 18 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 56     avg: 62.3     median: 58 (2%)     max: 73 s
min: 25     avg: 28.9     median: 29 (1%)     max: 31 s
101%
430M +
min: 38     avg: 41.4     median: 41.3 (2%)     max: 43.85 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 1303     avg: 1439     median: 1341 (6%)     max: 1674 s
min: 623     avg: 677     median: 681 (3%)     max: 713 s
102%
430M +
min: 900     avg: 962     median: 962 (4%)     max: 1034 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 2520M +
min: 49000     avg: 49675     median: 49675 (24%)     max: 50350 MIPS
58%
1 430M +
min: 27890     avg: 29299     median: 28910 (14%)     max: 31740 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 2520M +
min: 34390     avg: 34855     median: 34855 (27%)     max: 35320 MFLOPS
68%
1 430M +
min: 22500     avg: 23713     median: 23820 (18%)     max: 26530 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
min: 2848     avg: 3571     median: 3925 (8%)     max: 3940 Points
min: 7319     avg: 7809     median: 7514 (16%)     max: 8593 Points
166%
430M +
min: 5506     avg: 6342     median: 6525.5 (13%)     max: 6809 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 3.9     avg: 4.7     median: 4.8 (61%)     max: 5.4 Points
141%
430M +
min: 6.3     avg: 6.6     median: 6.7 (86%)     max: 6.7 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 3751     avg: 4065     median: 4064.5 (4%)     max: 4378 Points
min: 7940     avg: 9053     median: 9214 (8%)     max: 9674 Points
177%
430M +
min: 6803     avg: 7160     median: 7189.5 (6%)     max: 7366 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 2520M +
min: 3306     avg: 3510     median: 3449 (9%)     max: 3754 Points
75%
1 430M +
2594 Points (7%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 430M +
27418 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 430M +
2190 Points (6%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 430M +
3173 Points (6%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-520UM → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-2520M → 174% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-430M → 140% 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

v1.28
log 02. 17:45:53

#0 checking url part for id 563 +0s ... 0s

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

#2 checking url part for id 535 +0s ... 0s

#3 redirected to Ajax server, took 1719935153 +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 +0.006s ... 0.006s

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

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 563 +0.001s ... 0.007s

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#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 1493 +0.001s ... 0.015s

#10 got single benchmarks 1493 +0.024s ... 0.039s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 535 +0.001s ... 0.04s

#12 got single benchmarks 535 +0.046s ... 0.086s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.086s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.026s ... 0.113s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.113s

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