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Intel

Core i5 M 520

▲ 52149 ▼

2 Cores, 4 Threads @2.4 GHz, Arrandale.
Release date ≤ Q4 2013.

Average Bench: 40.1% (1064th of 1442)

Based on 23,644 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF00020652, 1FABFBFF00020655, BFEBFBFF00020655 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 520 @ 2.40GHz
Poor: 26%Average: 40.1% Great: 47%
Gaming
Gaming 40%
Speed boat
Desktop
Desktop 46%
Yacht
Workstation
Workstation 28%
Raft

Popular builds with this CPU

Below average average bench

The Intel Core i5 M 520 averaged 59.8% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 57.7Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 56.9Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i5 M 520 is 20.3%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i5 M 520 performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 136Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 135Pts
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Average Bench

(Based on 23,644 samples)
Rank 106440.1%
Min Avg Max
38.2 Memory 57.7 66.7
23.4 1-Core 56.9 70.8
40.9 2-Core 96.2 126
43% 70.3 Pts
Min Avg Max
56.1 4-Core 131 163
58.1 8-Core 135 163
17.7% 133 Pts
Min Avg Max
58.1 64-Core 136 163
8.4% 136 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.55 GHz (avg)
45% Average
Memory 65.4
1-Core 66.1
2-Core 116
50% 82.5 Pts
4-Core 145
8-Core 144
19% 145 Pts
64-Core 146
9% 146 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.65 GHz (avg)
43.2% Average
Memory 63.7
1-Core 59.9
2-Core 96
46% 73.2 Pts
4-Core 132
8-Core 140
18% 136 Pts
64-Core 137
8% 137 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.65 GHz (avg)
43.2% Average
Memory 65.1
1-Core 59.2
2-Core 106
47% 76.8 Pts
4-Core 124
8-Core 129
17% 127 Pts
64-Core 136
8% 136 Pts
Socket 989, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.6 GHz (avg)
43.1% Average
Memory 61.2
1-Core 67.4
2-Core 108
48% 78.9 Pts
4-Core 146
8-Core 147
20% 147 Pts
64-Core 148
9% 148 Pts
Socket 989, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.55 GHz (avg)
40.7% Average
Memory 61.1
1-Core 39.9
2-Core 84.7
39% 61.9 Pts
4-Core 118
8-Core 126
16% 122 Pts
64-Core 118
7% 118 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.6 GHz (avg)
39.4% Below average
Memory 58.6
1-Core 49.5
2-Core 82.9
40% 63.7 Pts
4-Core 118
8-Core 122
16% 120 Pts
64-Core 122
8% 122 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.4 GHz (avg)
36.6% Below average
Memory 56.4
1-Core 47.5
2-Core 82.8
39% 62.2 Pts
4-Core 98.7
8-Core 105
14% 102 Pts
64-Core 91.5
6% 91.5 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.45 GHz (avg)
32.8% Below average
Memory 45.5
1-Core 56.5
2-Core 98.7
39% 66.9 Pts
4-Core 117
8-Core 122
16% 120 Pts
64-Core 116
7% 116 Pts
U2E1, 1 CPU, 2 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 2.4 GHz, turbo 2.6 GHz (avg)
22.5% Poor
Memory 33.6
1-Core 53.6
2-Core 85
33% 57.4 Pts
4-Core 67.9
8-Core 66
9% 66.9 Pts
64-Core 69.5
4% 69.5 Pts
23,644 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,742,209 CPUs tested

 Prices

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AmazonUS $703 years
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Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

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Typical Core i5 M 520 Builds (Compare 315 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 2%
Tree trunk
Desktop
Desktop 40%
Speed boat
Workstation
Workstation 2%
Tree trunk

System: HP EliteBook 8440p

CPU
Core i5 M 520Intel  $70Bench 40%, 23,644 samples111x
GPU
NVS 3100MNvidiaBench 1%, 9,073 samples293x
HD Graphics (Arrandale 0.667/0.766 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 99,513 samples22x
SSD
A400 240GBKingston  $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples8x
MX500 500GBCrucial  $55Bench 106%, 237,241 samples7x
A400 120GBKingston  $29Bench 61%, 166,392 samples5x
RAM
2x2GBUnknownBench 20%, 446,702 samples122x
2x4GBUnknownBench 39%, 424,126 samples103x
6GBUnknownBench 25%, 111,301 samples51x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 48% - Average Total price: $98

Popular Core i5 M 520 systems:

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) April 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

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Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i5-520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.40 GHz)
Code NameArrandale
Launch DateQ1'10
Processor Numberi5-520M
# of Cores2
# of Threads4
Cache3 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.1/4.2
Embedded Options AvailableYes
Lithography32 nm
Recommended Price$212.00 - $227.00
Clock Speed2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency2.933 GHz
Bus Speed2.5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP35 W

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics
Graphics Base Frequency500 MHz
# of Displays Supported2
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency766 MHz
Clear Video HD TechYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes
Clear Video Tech for MIDYes
Macrovision License RequiredNo

Memory

Max Memory Size8 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 800/1066
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth17.1 GB/s
Physical Address Extensions36-bit
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
PCI Express Configurations1x16
Max # of PCI Express Lanes16

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost Tech1.0
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
vPro TechYes
Fast Memory AccessYes
Flex Memory AccessYes

Package

Package SizerPGA 37.5mmx 37.5mm, BGA 34mmx28mm
Graphics and IMC Lithography45 nm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedBGA1288, PGA988
Processing Die Size81 mm2
# of Processing Die Transistors382 million
Graphics and IMC Die Size114 mm2
# of Graphics and IMC Die Transistors177 million

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechYes

 Comments

Added n/a ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,836

Poor (edit your comment) Add link

9 months ago.

Terrible performance because it's so old

IDN-User
Avatar level
4,631

Excellent

7 months ago.

pretty nice for an old processor

ROU-User
Avatar level
4,615

Excellent

4 years ago.

It powers my daily driver - a Fujitsu Lifebook E780 laptop from 2010. Works flawlessly paired with an SSD and 8 GB of RAM, but I could use more cores for multitasking. That said, it handles like a champ Office 365 work with Bitdefender antivirus in the background, Google Chrome with multiple tabs open as well as several apps open and docked in the Taskbar. Multiple desktops also. It shows its age when trying to watch Youtube or listen to music while torrenting (audio lags and stutters). I've played games up to Assassin's Creed Black Flag, but nothing newer because of the GPU (Nvidia Geforce 330M). What's frustrating is the fact that, while craving more speed and performance, I realize this 10-year old CPU covers my productivity needs most of the time. Upgrading would be done on a whim, not out of necessity.

POL-User
Avatar level
4,566

Good

15 months ago.

In 2020 I bought Panasonic CF-C1 with this cpu. After upgrading hdd to ssd, it works like a champ with Mint Mate. Web pages, youtube, docker, libreoffice - you name it. And yes, it runs windows 10 (I dual-boot it to watch netflix and amazon prime). The only thing that lags is windows update - it can take hours.

AUT-User
Avatar level
2,735

Good

9 months ago.

Still daily in use. Lives in my Thinkpad X201, 8GB, SSD (best portable calculating machine I'v ever touched). To be precise, I'm using it to write this comment while doing heavy calculations in the background. Sure, the keyboard gets a bit warm and it takes a bit longer...to be honest, I don't know if you can boot Windows 10 with it.

DOM-User
Avatar level
1,514

Excellent

4 years ago.

Esto es de una laptop del 2007 Y le gana a ese i 3 Que vale maas

Steviadition
Avatar level
2

Good

5 years ago.

USA-User is probably referring to his/her mom. Old and bad performance. This is a 10 year old processor. It does everything as well as 10 years ago, like your granddad, that does his gardening work. Sure, there are faster machines. More efficient ones. But it is effective. It does work tasks and browsing. Great for office work. Really good battery performance. Almost vintage style, while still being useful. And: The chip costs less than Fallout 76 original price. It lags not as much as Fallout 76, it looks cool, it just works. 520m win - everyone else lose. 4 stars, because yeah, its old. There are alternatives sure. But if you have one, it is enough for serious office work. Dont expect a gaming or calculating prodigy, expect a solid processor.

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 Frequently Asked Questions

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 Best User Rated
The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $273Nvidia RTX 4060 $295Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $179Nvidia RTX 4070 $539Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $40SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $37Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $43SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
Seagate Barracuda 2TB (2016) $51G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3200 C14 4x16GB $351SanDisk Ultra Fit 32GB $16
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