Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 vs Intel Core i5-540M vs Intel Core 2 Duo T9600
Intel Core 2 Duo T6670
► remove from comparisonThe Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 is an entry level laptop processor based on the Penryn core. It offers only 2 MB level 2 cache and a mediocre clock rate of 2.2 GHz. Compared to the similar T6600, the T6670 offers Virtualization VT-x and a higher maximum temperature of 105°C.
Intel Core i5-540M
► remove from comparison![Intel 540M](typo3temp/_processed_/a/1/csm_kaigai9_01_7f4bd33a59.jpg)
The Intel Core i5-540M is a mid-range dual core CPU for laptops and clocks (due to the Turbo Mode) from 2.53 to 3.06 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 540M only has 3 MB Level 3 Cache and a lower clock speed.
A feature of the new Core i5-540M 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 i5-540M is on average faster than a 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo T9800 and in some benchmarks even faster than the fastest Core 2 Duo T9900 (e.g. 3DMark 06 CPU Score). Therefore, the Core i5-540M 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.
Intel Core 2 Duo T9600
► remove from comparison![Intel T9600](typo3temp/_processed_/4/0/csm_img_1614_intel-core2-duo_03_28c796a249.jpg)
The Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 is a high end dual core CPU for laptops (at the time of introduction). Compared to the faster T9900 it does not support the new power saving C1E state. The newer Core 2 Duo P9700 offers a similar performance but features a lower TDP of 28 Watt.
Due to the high clock speed, the T9600 offers enough performance for demanding games (in 2009) and applications.
The T9600 uses a Penryn 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 (in idle mode).
The Core 2 Duo T9600 can be used in a Socket P socket with 479 pins.
Model | Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 | Intel Core i5-540M | Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | 2200 MHz | 2530 - 3066 MHz | 2800 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FSB | 800 | 2500 | 1066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L2 Cache | 2 MB | 512 KB | 6 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TDP | 35 Watt | 35 Watt | 35 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transistors | 410 Million | 382+177 Million | 410 Million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
45 nm | 32 nm | 45 nm, 1.05-1.2125 V | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Die Size | 107 mm2 | 81+114 mm2 | 107 mm2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
max. Temp. | 105 °C | 105 °C | 105 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Socket | PGA478 | BGA1288, PGA988 | Socket P (BGA479, PGA478) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Architecture | x86 | x86 | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Announced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturer | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L1 Cache | 128 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L3 Cache | 3 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Features | Turbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Enhanced Speedstep, integrierte GMA HD 733MHz, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$257 U.S. | $316 U.S. |