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Intel Core i5-520UM vs Intel Core i5-2557M

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 i5-2557M

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i5-2557M is power efficient ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processor for thin and light laptops. The base frequency of 1.7 GHz is relatively low, but due to Turbo Boost 2.0, the CPU may clock up to 2.7 GHz (on core loaded, 2.4 GHz with both cores loaded). However, this is depending on the cooling and power consumption of the laptop. Due to HyperThreading, the i5-2557M is able to handle 4 threads in parallel. Compared to the Core i7-2657M, the i5 offers less cache but a higher base clock speed and faster graphics turbo boost.

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements is the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. 

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 clocked at 350 or 1200MHz (Turbo Boost). Due to the slower clock rate, compared to HD Graphics 3000 in 35W and 45W processors (usually clocked at 650-1100/1300MHz in non LV processors), the performance should be noticeable lower.

The performance of the CPU should be a bit higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i5. In our benchmarks (see below), the similar 2657M ULV processor was as fast as a Core i3-2310M due to the high Turbo Boost frequencies. However, the laptop cooling system has to keep the processor relatively cool for the Turbo Boost to work often.

The TDP of 17W (includes the integrated GPU and memory controller) allows the use of the 2557M CPU in small subnotebooks.

ModelIntel Core i5-520UMIntel Core i5-2557M
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i5
CodenameArrandaleSandy Bridge
Series: Core i5 Sandy Bridge
Intel Core i5-580M compare2.67 - 3.33 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-560M compare2.67 - 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 « 1.06 - 1.87 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-430UM compare1.2 - 1.73 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2540M compare2.6 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores3 MB L3
Intel Core i5-2520M compare2.5 - 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 « 1.7 - 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
Clock1060 - 1866 MHz1700 - 2700 MHz
FSB2500
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB
L3 Cache3 MB3 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 4
TDP18 Watt17 Watt
Transistors382+177 Million624 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm
Die Size81+114 mm2149 mm2
max. Temp.105 °C100 °C
SocketBGA1288BGA1023
FeaturesTurbo Boost (1.86 GHz max), Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrated GMA HD 166-500MHzTurbo Boost 2.0, VPro, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization VT-x, Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d), Trusted Execution, AES, Intel 64, Anti-Theft, My WiFi, Idle States, Enhanced SpeedStep, Thermal Monitorin, Execute Disable Bit
Architecturex86x86
$241 U.S.$250 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com
L1 Cache128 KB
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (350 - 1200 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: 2.18     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.25 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 1471     avg: 1981     median: 1942.5 (12%)     max: 2569 Points
min: 3382     avg: 3419     median: 3419 (21%)     max: 3456 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 2785     avg: 3670     median: 3778 (3%)     max: 4340 Points
min: 6223     avg: 6534     median: 6533.5 (5%)     max: 6844 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 3946     avg: 4600     median: 4632.5 (3%)     max: 5187 Points
min: 8266     avg: 8308     median: 8307.5 (6%)     max: 8349 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 2263     avg: 2561     median: 2423.5 (3%)     max: 3135 Points
min: 4201     avg: 4203     median: 4202.5 (5%)     max: 4204 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 995     avg: 1110     median: 1110 (13%)     max: 1225 s
min: 765     avg: 769     median: 768.5 (9%)     max: 772 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 31.8     avg: 35.2     median: 35.2 (7%)     max: 38.5 s
min: 23.56     avg: 23.7     median: 23.7 (5%)     max: 23.77 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 982     avg: 1429     median: 1492 (3%)     max: 1718 Points
min: 2738     avg: 2750     median: 2750 (6%)     max: 2762 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
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: 33     avg: 33.5     median: 33.5 (1%)     max: 34 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: 763     avg: 771     median: 771 (3%)     max: 779 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 2557M +
min: 37300     avg: 38565     median: 38565 (18%)     max: 39830 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 2557M +
min: 28460     avg: 28470     median: 28470 (22%)     max: 28480 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 520UM +
min: 2848     avg: 3571     median: 3925 (8%)     max: 3940 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 3.9     avg: 4.7     median: 4.8 (61%)     max: 5.4 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 3751     avg: 4065     median: 4064.5 (4%)     max: 4378 Points
min: 7260     avg: 7452     median: 7452 (7%)     max: 7644 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-520UM → 100% n=13

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-2557M → 147% n=13

- 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

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