Intel Core i5-2520M Intel Core i5-2450M
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Intel Core i5-2520M vs Intel Core i5-2450M

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The Intel Core i5-2520M and the Intel Core i5-2450M are mobile processors from the Intel Core i5 Sandy Bridge generation, designed for mainstream laptops and balanced performance for everyday tasks.

Both CPUs are based on the Sandy Bridge H architecture and are manufactured using the 32 nm process. They feature two physical cores and four threads via Hyper-Threading technology. In single-core performance, the Intel Core i5-2520M and the Intel Core i5-2450M are nearly identical.

For multi-core applications, the Intel Core i5-2520M offers a noticeable performance advantage. Both processors utilize Intel HD Graphics 3000. Their gaming performance is comparable and sufficient for older or less demanding titles, but not for modern games. As mobile processors, both models are optimized for energy efficiency and balanced battery life in laptops.

As older processors, they are no longer available new. Their value lies in used systems, where they offer basic computing power at low costs. For everyday tasks, both are well-suited. The Intel Core i5-2520M offers slightly better performance for more demanding usage scenarios thanks to its minor multi-core advantage.

Intel Core i5-2520M

  • Slight advantage in multi-core performance
  • Two cores, four threads
  • Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 3000
  • Optimized for mobile energy efficiency

Intel Core i5-2450M

  • Very good single-core performance
  • Two cores, four threads
  • Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 3000
  • Optimized for mobile energy efficiency

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Intel Core i5-2520M
Rank 2 - 97 %
Intel Core i5-2450M
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Intel Core i5-2520M
Rank 2 - 94 %
Intel Core i5-2450M
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Intel Core i5-2520M
2C / 4T · 3.20 GHz
549
Intel Core i5-2450M
2C / 4T · 3.10 GHz
533
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Intel Core i5-2520M
2C / 4T · 3.20 GHz
1,162
Intel Core i5-2450M
2C / 4T · 2.50 GHz
1,042
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Single-core performance

Intel Core i5-2520M
2C / 4T · 3.20 GHz
596
Intel Core i5-2450M
2C / 4T · 3.10 GHz
590
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Intel Core i5-2520M
2C / 4T · 3.20 GHz
1,339
Intel Core i5-2450M
2C / 4T · 2.50 GHz
1,289
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Intel Core i5-2520M
Intel HD Graphics 3000
250
Intel Core i5-2450M
Intel HD Graphics 3000
250
CPU-Z Benchmark 17 Single-Core

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Intel Core i5-2520M
2C / 4T · 3.20 GHz
248
Intel Core i5-2450M
2C / 4T · 3.10 GHz
236
CPU-Z Benchmark 17 Multi-Core

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Intel Core i5-2520M
2C / 4T · 2.50 GHz
709
Intel Core i5-2450M
2C / 4T · 2.50 GHz
682

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Intel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-2450M
FamilyIntel Core i5 (336)Intel Core i5 (336)
CPU groupIntel Core i 2000M (46)Intel Core i 2000M (46)
ArchitectureSandy Bridge HSandy Bridge H
Technology32 nm32 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
SocketPPGA 988BGA 1023
Predecessor
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Intel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-2450M
CPU Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 4
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturenormalnormal
Cores: 2x 2x
Frequency: 2.50 GHz 2.50 GHz
Turbo (1 Core): 3.20 GHz 3.10 GHz
Turbo (All Cores): 3.20 GHz
L2-Cache
L3-Cache3.00 MB3.00 MB
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Intel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-2450M
GPU nameIntel HD Graphics 3000Intel HD Graphics 3000
GPU frequency0.65 - 1.30 GHz0.65 - 1.30 GHz
CUs / Shader12 / 9612 / 96
Raytracing
Max. displays22
Max. GPU Memory2 GB2 GB
Technology32 nm32 nm
Release dateQ1/2011Q1/2011

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Intel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-2450M
AI hardware
AI specifications
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Intel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-2450M
MemoryDDR3-1333 (21.3 GB/s)
DDR3-1333 (21.3 GB/s)
Max. Memory16 GB16 GB
Memory channels22
ECCNoNo
PCIe2.0 x 162.0 x 16
PCIe Bandwidth8.0 GB/s8.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Intel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-2450M
TDP35 W35 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Intel Core i5-2520MIntel Core i5-2450M
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsWindows 10, LinuxWindows 10, Linux
Instruction setx86-64 (64 bit)x86-64 (64 bit)
ISA extensionsSSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVXSSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Release dateQ1/2011Q1/2012
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheetTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Intel Core i5-2520M is 3.9 stars (28 ratings), while Intel Core i5-2450M has received 3.3 stars (12 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Intel Core i5-2520M
Intel Core i5-2520M
2C / 4T · 2.50 - 3.20 GHz
Intel Core i5-2450M
Intel Core i5-2450M
2C / 4T · 2.50 - 3.10 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Intel Core i5-2520M
Intel Core i5-2520M
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