Core i5 M 520

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i5 M 520

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Please take all results with a big grain of salt. Sysbuilds is in alpha stage at the moment which can lead to wrong data, strange counting errors, silly results and more. This site is under active development.

Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i5 M 520 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,261 Rank: 1573
Rank Name Score Visual
1569 Core i3-530 4,266
+0.1%
1570 Athlon II X3 440 4,265
+0.1%
1571 Pentium Silver N5000 4,264
+0.1%
1572 Core i3-2330M 4,261
+0%
1573 Core i5 M 520 4,261
1574 Phenom II X2 545 4,260
+-0%
1575 Athlon II X3 445 4,259
+-0%
1576 Xeon X3220 4,259
+-0%
1577 Core i5-4200U 4,258
-0.1%
1578 Core 2 Duo T9800 4,258
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i5 M 520 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,204 Rank: 2007
Rank Name Score Visual
2003 Atom N270 4,207
+0.1%
2004 Atom Z530 4,207
+0.1%
2005 Core 2 Duo T5870 4,207
+0.1%
2006 Intel Core i7-620M 4,204
+0%
2007 Core i5 M 520 4,204
2008 Pentium G6950 4,203
+-0%
2009 Core i3-5005U 4,201
-0.1%
2010 Atom Z670 4,200
-0.1%
2011 Pentium G620 4,200
-0.1%
2012 Pentium E5300 4,199
-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i5 M 520 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,299 Rank: 1489
Rank Name Score Visual
1485 Xeon E5-2609 v2 4,304
+0.1%
1486 Pentium 2030M 4,303
+0.1%
1487 Phenom II X4 B45 4,300
+0%
1488 Athlon II X2 250 4,300
+0%
1489 Core i5 M 520 4,299
1490 Core 2 Duo E7600 4,299
+0%
1491 Phenom II X3 B77 4,299
+0%
1492 Xeon E5630 4,297
+-0%
1493 Core 2 Duo T9900 4,296
-0.1%
1494 Xeon L5638 4,294
-0.1%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i5 M 520 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Number Crunching score not yet available.

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i5 M 520 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Data Processing score not yet available.

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i5 M 520 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Physics & Compute score not yet available.

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Core i5 M 520 Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i5-520M remains a relic of the early 2010s, a dual-core processor designed for mobile computing during the transition to more power-efficient architectures. Built on Intel's 32 nm process and based on the Nehalem microarchitecture, this CPU was intended for mainstream laptops that required a balance between performance and thermal efficiency. Despite its age, the i5-520M was a significant step forward in mobile computing at launch, offering Hyper-Threading support and integrated graphics, which made it a popular choice for business and multimedia laptops of its era.

The processor features two cores with four threads, allowing it to handle multitasking and light productivity workloads with moderate efficiency. It operates at a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and can boost to 2.93 GHz when thermal and power conditions allow, supported by Intel's Enhanced SpeedStep Technology. The integrated Intel HD Graphics GPU runs at a base frequency of 500 MHz, capable of boosting to 766 MHz, and supports up to two displays, making it suitable for basic multimedia and light graphical tasks. However, its performance is now severely limited compared to modern standards.

With a 65 W TDP and a BGA1288/PGA988 socket, the i5-520M was designed for laptops with advanced thermal management, though its 32 nm node and lack of modern features like AVX-512 or DDR4 memory support place it well behind current processors. It supports DDR3-800/1066 memory at a maximum of 8 GB across two channels, with a maximum bandwidth of 17.1 GB/s. While it supports a wide range of modern technologies—including AES-NI, VT-x, and VT-d—it lacks ECC memory support and newer extensions like AVX2, which limits its usefulness in modern workloads.

In benchmarking, the Core i5-520M achieves an Overall Score of 4,261, ranking #1,572 out of 2,060 CPUs, with a Singlecore Score of 4,299 (#1,489) and a Multicore Score of 4,204 (#2,006). While these scores place it ahead of some modern low-power processors like the Pentium Silver N5000 and Atom Z670, they are far behind the top-tier CPUs in the market. For comparison, the highest-ranking CPU in the list, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX, scores over twice as high in multicore performance. This highlights the processor's obsolescence in the face of today's computing demands.

The i5-520M’s strongest performance is in single-threaded tasks, where its relatively high single-core score suggests it can still handle basic applications like web browsing and office software. However, its multicore performance is weak, making it unsuitable for modern multitasking, content creation, or gaming. In the context of current hardware, it is best suited for legacy systems, retro computing projects, or as a replacement in older laptops where performance needs are minimal.

In conclusion, while the Core i5-520M was once a capable mobile processor, its age and limited capabilities now restrict it to niche use cases. For users seeking performance in 2026, modern CPUs offer vastly superior efficiency, speed, and feature sets. The i5-520M serves as a reminder of how rapidly computing technology has evolved, and while it may still function, it is no longer competitive in today's landscape.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 7 2700 5 views

AMD Ryzen 5 3500X 3 views

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 3 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4110 2 views

AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 2 views

AMD Ryzen 7 2700E 2 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 1 view

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 1 view

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 1 view

Intel Core i5 M 520

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i5 M 520
Model Number: i5-520M
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 2400 MHz
Socket: BGA1288, PGA988
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 35 W

Cache Specifications

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3 800/1066
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 17.1 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 16
PCIe Configuration: 1x16

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 766 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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