Intel Core i5-2540M
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i5-2540M Specifications
Core i5-2540M Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i5-2540M features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i5-2540M Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i5-2540M benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i5-2540M by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i5-2540M Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i5-2540M processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i5-2540M's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Sandy Bridge Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i5-2540M is built on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i5-2540M incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Sandy Bridge Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i5-2540M by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i5-2540M Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i5-2540M has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 35W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket G2 (988B) Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i5-2540M uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B) socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket G2 (988B) Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i5-2540M define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i5-2540M determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i5-2540M Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i5-2540M includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i5-2540M provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i5-2540M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i5-2540M is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i5-2540M by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i5-2540M Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i5-2540M performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i5-2540M.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i5-2540M.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i5-2540M after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i5-2540M maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i5-2540M across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i5-2540M can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i5-2540M
The Intel Core i5-2540M is a dual-core mobile processor from the Sandy Bridge architecture, manufactured on Intel's 32 nm process. It integrates 624 million transistors on a 149 mm² die, with 2 cores and 4 threads running at a 2.60 GHz base clock. The processor carries a 35 W TDP and targets the mobile segment, featuring Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. Benchmark data places it at the 18th percentile of all CPUs, with an average score of 700 — a figure that puts it in a tight cluster with its nearest rivals. Released in 2011, this end-of-life part remains relevant only for legacy systems.
Benchmark Performance
The i5-2540M's average benchmark score of 700 lands at the 18th percentile of all CPUs, meaning the vast majority of processors outperform it. This is not a high-performance part by modern standards, but its position is notable for how tightly it clusters with its nearest competitors. The average benchmark score of 700 is the central reference point; every rival in the nearestRivals list falls within a single point of this figure.
In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 2000 points in multi-core and 282 in single-core. The R20 results show 840 multi-core and 118 single-core. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score is 201. Geekbench results are 970 multi-core and 486 single-core. These numbers paint a picture of a chip that delivers modest throughput, consistent with its dual-core, four-thread configuration. The multi-core scores are consistently several times higher than single-core scores, reflecting the benefit of the four-thread execution.
The deltaPct values against nearest rivals are remarkably small. The i5-2540M sits 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3537U, 0.1% behind the AMD FX-7600P, 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3517UE, and 0.8% ahead of the AMD Athlon II X4 645. In practical terms, these differences are within run-to-run variance; the i5-2540M is effectively performance-equivalent to all four rivals. The average scores confirm this: the i7-3537U matches at 700, the FX-7600P edges ahead at 701, and the i7-3517UE and Athlon II X4 645 trail at 697 and 695 respectively.
The 18th percentile ranking is the key takeaway. This processor is not competitive with modern desktop or even mainstream mobile parts, but within its own generation and segment, it holds its own against comparable low-power mobile and older desktop chips. The tight clustering of rival scores — all between 695 and 701 — demonstrates that this performance tier is a crowded space where no single part has a meaningful advantage.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is revealing. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 282, while the multi-core score is 2000. The single-core score of 282 is substantially lower than the multi-core score of 2000, reflecting the scaling from 2 cores and 4 threads. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score of 118 compares to a multi-core score of 840. The Geekbench single-core score of 486 versus a multi-core score of 970 shows a similar pattern, though the gap is narrower in Geekbench than in Cinebench.
This behavior indicates that the i5-2540M benefits significantly from multi-threaded workloads. Applications that can utilize four threads will see notably better throughput than those limited to a single thread. For real-world use, this means that modern web browsers with multi-process architecture, office suites, and light productivity tools will perform adequately, while older single-threaded applications may feel sluggish.
The single-core scores of 282 (R23) and 486 (Geekbench) are modest figures. They suggest that per-core performance is limited by the 2.60 GHz base clock and the Sandy Bridge architecture's older design. Users running single-threaded legacy software will not see the same responsiveness as with newer processors.
Power and Thermals
The i5-2540M has a 35 W TDP. This is a modest power envelope for a mobile processor of the Sandy Bridge era. The 32 nm process node helps keep power in check. A 35 W TDP implies that a standard laptop cooling solution — a heat pipe and small fan — is sufficient to manage thermals under sustained load. The processor is not unlocked (multiplierUnlocked: false), so overclocking is not an option for users seeking to push performance beyond stock settings.
The integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics share the thermal budget, meaning that sustained GPU load can impact CPU thermals. However, without specific thermal test data in the benchmark results, the analysis rests on the TDP class alone. The 35 W TDP class is typical for mid-range mobile processors of this generation, balancing performance and battery life.
How It Compares
Intel Core i7-3537U: The i5-2540M is 0.1% ahead of this rival, with both averaging 700 in benchmark scores. The performance difference is negligible. In real-world terms, the two are interchangeable.
AMD FX-7600P: The i5-2540M trails by 0.1%. The FX-7600P averages 701, a single point higher. This is the only rival in the group that edges out the i5-2540M, but the margin is far too small to be meaningful.
Intel Core i7-3517UE: The i5-2540M is 0.4% ahead, with the rival averaging 697. The i5-2540M holds a slight edge, though the 0.4% delta is still within noise.
AMD Athlon II X4 645: The i5-2540M is 0.8% ahead, the largest delta in the rival group. The Athlon II X4 645 averages 695, slightly behind the i5-2540M. This is the widest gap among the four rivals, yet still negligible in practical terms.
FAQ
Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Core i5-2540M?
A: The average benchmark score is 700, placing it at the 18th percentile of all CPUs.
Q: How does the i5-2540M compare to the Intel Core i7-3537U?
A: The i5-2540M is 0.1% ahead in average benchmark score, with both processors scoring 700.
Q: Does the i5-2540M support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported.
Q: What integrated graphics does the i5-2540M include?
A: It features Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked.
Q: What socket does the i5-2540M use?
A: It uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B).
Who Should Consider It
The i5-2540M is suited for basic computing tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2000 and single-core score of 282 indicate enough throughput for office productivity, web browsing, and light multitasking. The Geekbench multi-core score of 970 and single-core score of 486 reinforce this profile.
For gaming, the integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics and modest CPU scores limit the experience to older or less demanding titles. The processor's 18th percentile ranking means it will struggle with modern games that rely on multi-core performance. Users seeking any gaming capability should look elsewhere.
For content creation, the 2-core/4-thread configuration and the Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 201 suggest that video editing, 3D rendering, and other heavy workloads are not practical. The processor is better suited to document editing, spreadsheets, email, and web-based applications. The 4 threads help with multitasking, but the limited core count and older architecture cap the ceiling.
Given its end-of-life production status and the availability of far more capable processors, the i5-2540M is only relevant for users maintaining legacy laptops or those with specific compatibility requirements. It is not a recommended purchase for new systems.
Platform and Compatibility
The i5-2540M is built for the Intel Socket G2 (988B), a mobile socket. It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration. ECC memory is not supported. The processor includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems.
The processor is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, manufactured on a 32 nm process with 624 million transistors on a 149 mm² die. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking. The part number is SR044SR049.
As an end-of-life product, the upgrade path is limited to other Socket G2 (988B) processors from the same generation. The release date of 2011 places it in the early Sandy Bridge era. Users looking for modern performance should consider more recent platforms, as the 18th percentile ranking shows the i5-2540M is well behind the current performance curve. The dual-channel DDR3 memory support is adequate for the era but outdated by current standards.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i5-2540M
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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